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Quantum miracle: Why can photons change their wave pattern before arriving?
In the world of quantum physics, the nature of time often confuses us. One of the best examples of this is the delayed choice experiment proposed by John Archibald Wheeler, which challenges our understanding of reality. These thought experiments explore the behavior of photons, the smallest units of light, and reveal that the pattern of their waves during an experiment can be changed before it arrives.
"It is the wrong interpretation of the photons that will be tangible throughout."
The key to the delayed-choice experiment is that it shows that quantum behavior depends on the experimental setup. By cleverly manipulating the experimental setup, the researchers can decide to observe a photon as a wave or a particle before it reaches the detector, challenging our traditional notions of time and causality.
For example, in the common double-slit experiment, when photons pass through both slits, they can theoretically behave as both waves and particles at the same time. When the two wave functions meet on the detection screen, an interference pattern is generated; if we change the way we observe the photon as it passes through, the interference effect will disappear. This phenomenon makes people curious, how do photons make such a "decision"?
"At the last moment when the photon arrived, our choice changed its outcome."
Wheeler also proposed a cosmic version of the delayed choice experiment, assuming that photons from billions of light years away would be affected by the gravitational lensing effect of other celestial bodies when approaching our Earth. This photon shows two images after reaching the Earth. Is this because it chose a certain path, or is it because we influence its behavior when we choose how to observe it? Such thinking makes us realize how important the role of the observer is in the quantum world.
With the advancement of science and technology, modern scientists have verified Wheeler's concepts through experiments many times. The photons are likely to "decide" their behavior during their long journey when they use modern technology to manipulate the experimental parameters, such as adding or removing interference screens from the experiment in an attempt to affect the wave nature of the photons. This proves that observation is not just a passive process, but more like an action that can reversely affect the world.
"Each experiment is a new exploration of the quantum world, challenging our understanding of the nature of reality."
Combining the experiment of quantum delayed selection, scientists no longer rely on traditional mechanical delays, but use quantum effects to control "selection" to create super-positions of particle behavior or wave behavior. This not only improves our understanding of quantum phenomena, but also challenges the limits of classical physics. This series of advances has allowed us to better think about the wonders and mysteries of the quantum world. For example, in the quantum universe, what is the relationship between the determined truth and our perception?
