Has the Double Slit experiment ever been conducted in zero gravity?

[pittsburghjoe]

Before you laugh this off, how could you possibly know for sure gravity doesn't effect interference at the atomic scale? Shouldn't this have been the first test they did on ISS?

[swansont]

Before you laugh this off, how could you possibly know for sure gravity doesn't effect interference at the atomic scale? Shouldn't this have been the first test they did on ISS?

Because physicists can do math.

 

Gravity does affect interference (though it does not effect interference). Interferometry can be used to determine gravitational effects, if you set the experiment up properly. But the standard two-slit experiment? Gravity has a negligible effect.

[pittsburghjoe]

I suspect that it will show us something odd when doing the test without detectors (other than the odd thing it currently shows us). The math we can currently do on wave phenomenon is pretty weak. Isn't worth a shot? Are you saying Quantum gravity wouldn't have an affect?

[swansont]

I suspect that it will show us something odd when doing the test without detectors (other than the odd thing it currently shows us). The math we can currently do on wave phenomenon is pretty weak. Isn't worth a shot? Are you saying Quantum gravity wouldn't have an affect?

We don't have a theory of quantum gravity, and no lab access to situations where one could be tested, so that's moot.

 

How do you do a test without detectors?

[pittsburghjoe]

You don't measure the free particle by detecting what slit it's going through. I want to know how the interference pattern ends up looking. I suspect there is much more going on during Wave phenomena then we currently are alerted to.

[Mordred]

There is potential procedures. One being weak measurements another involves utilizing entanglement. Both are tricky to setup to avoid decoherence.

 

https://www.google.ca/amp/amp.livescience.com/27719-quantum-measurement-macro-decoherence.html?client=ms-android-samsung

Edited December 4, 2016 by Mordred

[pittsburghjoe]

There is potential procedures. One being weak measurements another involves utilizing entanglement. Both are tricky to setup to avoid decoherence.

 

in zero gravity?

[Mordred]

no we haven't done these in zero G afiak but as Swansont mentioned gravity has an extremely miniscule effect on a particle.

 

Its so miniscule of an effect we can't even measure it directly on an individual particle. If we could we would be A long ways to having a quantum gravity theory.

 

Believe me any physicist would love to be able to quantize gravity at the individual particle level

Edited December 4, 2016 by Mordred

[pittsburghjoe]

I'm not interested in gravity on measured particles.

[Mordred]

If we cant measure gravity on a measured particle what makes you think we can measure gravity on a superimposed particle? Other than using interferometry as Swansont mentioned?.

 

 

You really need to try to understand the sheer difficulty it is to avoid decoherence or measure g on any individual particle. Its not like we can place a proton on a scale lol.

Edited December 4, 2016 by Mordred

[pittsburghjoe]

Just set up a double slit (in zero g) and let the particles fly. The interference pattern might give us more insight into wave phenomenon.

Edited December 4, 2016 by pittsburghjoe

[swansont]

Just set up a double slit and let the particles fly. The interference pattern might give us more insight into wave phenomenon.

You really have no clue about the physics here, do you? If you did, you could calculate the gravitational effect and compare it to the properties the particles have, and see. But no, all you've presented is a conjecture based on no physics at all.

[Mordred]

Im sure that's probably on some project list. The factor here being sheer cost and complexity. This article describes some of the higher precision tests. Including the effect of gravity.

 

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://arxiv.org/pdf/1410.0270&ved=0ahUKEwjrhKqls9nQAhUD9GMKHRFpBREQFggwMAc&usg=AFQjCNGG7wfR36VttVRAyWwgkaX3KfhS2A

Edited December 4, 2016 by Mordred

[pittsburghjoe]

You really have no clue about the physics here, do you? If you did, you could calculate the gravitational effect and compare it to the properties the particles have, and see. But no, all you've presented is a conjecture based on no physics at all.

 

So, you aren't going to make a call to NASA for me? How do you calculate the gravitational effect on a free particle?

[Mordred]

the same way you calculate the affect of g on a macro object. And no we are not going to call NASA for you lol

Edited December 4, 2016 by Mordred

[pittsburghjoe]

I'm hoping "free particle" means one that isn't measured. There isn't enough evidence that a particle is a wave at the same exact moment. Maybe I could send a double slit up myself via big balloon.

[Mordred]

I think you should understand the double slit experiment better first. Sending it up in a balloon won't change any results. Sorry

 

The difference in g at height from Earth surface is far far too miniscule to affect the two slit.

Edited December 4, 2016 by Mordred

[pittsburghjoe]

It would be pretty shocking if it did ..almost as shocking as finding a particle in two places at the same time.

[Mordred]

No thats not how superposition works.

 

Superposition states the probability of a particle being at a given location. That does not mean two places at once. That means a % chance of being at a particular location.

 

Until you measure and determine the location all probable locations are possible.

 

Have you never studied statistical mechanics? Superposition is a term used quite often in statistics. Not just quantum particles.

 

Ripples on a pond, waves on a rope being two macroscopic examples.

 

"In physics and systems theory, the superposition principle, also known as superposition property, states that, for all linear systems, the net response at a given place and time caused by two or more stimuli is the sum of the responses which would have been caused by each stimulus individually"

Edited December 4, 2016 by Mordred

[pittsburghjoe]

I was just making the case that crazier results have already been found. I'm going to start a kickstarter for my balloon.

[Mordred]

crazier results still require understanding the meaning behind the terminology as well as understanding how physics works. If you understood the meaning of superposition then you would know there is nothing unusual or weird about it

Edited December 4, 2016 by Mordred

[pittsburghjoe]

I think you smart guys don't want more info on the wave phenomenon because it might upset your views on QM.

[Mordred]

that is a very foolish assertion. Considering were trying to help you understand basic terminology and scientific methods.

 

In all honesty QM merely looks tough, once you learn the terminology and realize those terminologies originated from mathematical terms. ie superposition, eugenvalue, eugenstate etc. QM becomes incredibly easy to understand.

 

Same goes for relativity and Cosmology. The physics terminology is mostly mathematical terms.

 

The only reason Swansont and myself know as much as we do is years of diligent study. Even today I still study, I've been doing so for over 35 years. I still learn new stuff to this very day.

Edited December 4, 2016 by Mordred

[Sensei]

Has the Double Slit experiment ever been conducted in zero gravity?

 

Double slit experiment can be done with photons, or with electrons, or other particles.

You should clarify which version you're interested in.

In the case of electrons, there are used thousands volts to accelerate them, to pretty significant velocity.

Electrons will have quite high kinetic energy.

1000 V = up to 1000 eV kinetic energy, which is gamma=1.0019569513, which is velocity=~ 18700 km/s. 31 times more than enough to escape entire galaxy.

Edited December 4, 2016 by Sensei

[pittsburghjoe]

Are you saying it would be dangerous? I'll accept any or all double slit experiments in zero g.

 

If you are saying there is no point in doing it ..I say NAY!