Quantum physics and the beam splitter mystery

François Hénault

doi:10.1117/12.2186291

10 September 2015 Quantum physics and the beam splitter mystery

François Hénault

Proceedings Volume 9570, The Nature of Light: What are Photons? VI; 95700Q (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2186291
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Optical lossless beam splitters are frequently encountered in fundamental physics experiments regarding the nature of light, including “which-way” determination or the EPR paradox and their measurement apparatus. Although they look as common optical components at first glance, their behaviour remains somewhat mysterious since they apparently exhibit stand-alone particle-like features, and then wave-like characteristics when inserted into a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In this communication are examined and discussed some basic properties of these beamssplitters, both from a classical optics and quantum physics point of view. Herein the most evident convergences and contradictions are highlighted, and the results of a few emblematic experiments demonstrating photon existence are discussed. Alternative empirical models are also proposed in order to shed light on some remaining issues.

Citation Download Citation

François Hénault "Quantum physics and the beam splitter mystery", Proc. SPIE 9570, The Nature of Light: What are Photons? VI, 95700Q (10 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2186291

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