Mach-Zehnder Interferometry and Erasure of ‘Which-path’ Information - PhysLab

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Mach-Zehnder Interferometry and Erasure of 'Which-path' Information

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Student Manual

One of the most astounding and bewildering depictions of quantum mechanics is the single- particle interference experiment. If a source that emits only one particle (such as photons or electrons) at a time, is used in a classic double slit experiment, an interference patterns will emerge. This pattern is built up over multiple passes of identical particles. Interestingly, the pattern could be switched on and off even after light has emerged from the interferometer.

The Mach-Zehnder interferometer is a useful device for exploiting the wave nature of light and observing various aspects of interference. The goal of this experiment is to familiarize students with this kind of an interferometer. We will observe interference of light, and see conditions under which interference can be washed out, and ultimately recovered.

Sample Results Erasure and recovery of which-path information inside a Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Variation of intensity pattern with the post-interferometer polarizer
Variation of optical intensity with the relative angle between the polarizers placed inside the arms of the interferometer
Fringes change their visibility as polarizers between the arms of the interferometer change their relative angles
Sample data obtained by Shiraz (July 2019)
Experiment Code 2.21
Version 2018-v1

Further Readings and References

  • There are no particles, only fields
    American Journal of Physics, A. Hobson, 81, 211, (2013).
  • Delayed choice quantum eraser experiment explained,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7Z_TIw9InA, (2014).
  • Chapter 6
    Physics of Light and Optics,http://optics.byu.edu/textbook.aspx, J. Peatross and M, Ware, 143-168, (2015).
  • Teaching quantum theory in the introductory course
    The Physics Teacher, A. Hobson, 34, 202, (1996).
  • Understanding walking the beam,http://laser.physics.sunysb.edu/~simone/mini-project/, S. Agha and D. Minkin, (2007).
  • Single photon quantum erasing
    European Journal of Physics, T.L. Dimitorva and A. Weis, 31, 5, (2010).
  • Quantum computing with photons
    Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular, Optical Physics, S. Barz, 48, 083001, (2015).
  • A do-it yourself quantum eraser
    Scientific American, R. Hillmer and P. Kwiat, 90, (May 2007).

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Overview
    • Centre for Experimental Physics Education (CEPE)
    • Physlab Team
    • Physlab Guidebook
    • Alumni
    • Open Positions
    • Muhammad Sabieh Anwar (Personal)
  • Academics
    • Lab Courses
    • Lab-I (ENGG-100/PHY-100/200)
    • Lab-II (PHY 300/500)
    • AstroLAB
    • Ibn Sahl Corner for Optics
    • Fast Optics
    • Smart Physics
    • Single Photon Quantum Mechanics Lab
    • Chasing Cosmic Ray Muons at Physlab
    • Stories
    • Physics Studio
    • Research Stories
    • Class Activities
    • Courses Taught
    • Class Demonstrations
    • PhysDiary
    • Health and Safety
    • Lab Safety
    • Workplace Organization
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    • Research Themes
    • Research Internships
    • Research Stories
    • Physics WorldCup
      • International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT) 2019
      • International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT) 2018
      • International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT) 2016
    • Hunerkada
    • Grants
    • Theses and Reports
    • Scientific Publications
    • Invited Talks (Selected)
  • Outreach
    • Media
      • Lectures, Podcasts and Interviews
      • Videobytes
      • YouTube Channel
      • Visitors
      • Testimonials
    • The Scientific Mind Through the Eyes of a Physics Experimenter
    • National Laboratory Immersion Program
      • First Lahore 2012
      • Second Sukkur 2013
      • Third Lahore 2014
      • Fourth Lahore 2016
    • Labview Workshop 2016
    • Open house
      • 2009-2015
      • Open house 2023
    • Khwarizmi Science Society
    • Helping Pakistan’s Universities
      • National University of Technology (NUTECH) 2019
      • Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
        (PIEAS) 2019 (Final Phase)
      • Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
        (PIEAS) 2019 (Phase 2)
      • Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
        (PIEAS) 2018 (Phase 1)
      • National University of Science & Technology 2016
      • Habib University 2014
      • Preston University 2013
      • Ghulam Ishaque Khan Institute of
        Engineering Sciences and Technology 2011
      • Institute of Space Technology 2010
    • The National STEM School
      • STEM School (2018 – 2019)
      • STEM school (2016 – 2017)
    • Abdus Salam Memorial Lecture Series
  • Facilities
    • Laboratories
    • Equipments
    • Devices & Softwares
      • PhysPlot
      • Physlogger
      • Phystrack
    • Mechanical Workshop
    • Inventory
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  • PhysGPT
  • Contact Us