Also, concerning the double slit experiment, can a photon be measured, but the collapse of the wavefunction be delayed if the tool used to measure the photon processes the information slowly, so that randomness can still occur even after the information is read? (Basically a photon goes through one slit and is read by a device that processes the information so slowly that the information isn't available until after the photon reaches the back wall.)
2007-01-17 16:04:08 · 3 answers · asked by jedi1josh 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Another version is to have radioactive source which emits two electrons of opposite spin simultaneously. If you measure one spin, via conservation of angular momentum you know the other.
Interesting idea about measuring slowly...as far as I know the critical measurement is fundamentally an instantaneous quantum physics process, or assumed to be. But looking at what happens on those super fast time scales would probably be interesting!
2007-01-17 16:24:51 · answer #1 · answered by Rob O'C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
...suggest using or creating an oscillating device (mechanical, strobe, electromagnetic, or otherwise)... example of double slit ( l l): > l > l > ; where > is photon.
Set up oscillating device ( X ) as follows but not in the calculated path of the photon: > l x l >, then measure.
THEORETICAL- good luck!
2007-01-17 16:18:17 · answer #2 · answered by each may believe differently 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Once you read it, you don't even have to wait until its processed, but once it's been detected, the randomness is disturbed and is no longer random.
2007-01-17 16:09:36 · answer #3 · answered by The Answerer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋