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Time-reversed Young's experiment: Deterministic, diffractionless second-order interference effect

Jianming Wen

TL;DR

This work presents a time-reversed version of Young’s double-slit experiment that yields diffraction-free, second-order interference patterns controlled by the source’s spatial extent rather than slit diffraction. By using a fixed detector and an extended, position-correlated light source, the authors demonstrate deterministic, programmable fringes formed through a nonlocal correlation between emission position and detection, without entanglement. The analysis derives transverse and longitudinal phase sensitivities, showing sub-diffraction-limited resolution that scales with geometry and photon number, and discusses advanced-wave interpretations and potential superresolution applications. The approach offers a novel, nonclassical perspective on interferometry with potential impact on high-precision imaging and sensing, while inviting further quantum-mechanical modeling and extension to other carriers of matter.

Abstract

The classic Young's double-slit experiment exhibits first-order interference, producing alternating bright and dark fringes modulated by the diffraction effect of the slits. In contrast, here we demonstrate that its time-reversed configuration produces an ideal, deterministic second-order 'ghost' interference pattern devoid of diffraction and first-order effect, with the size dependent on the dimensions of the `effectively extended light source.' Furthermore, the new system enables a range of effects and phenomena not available in traditional double-slit interference studies, including the formation of programmed and digitized interference fringes and the coincidence of the pattern plane and the source plane. Despite the absence of first-order interference, our proposed experiment does not rely on nonclassical correlations or quantum entanglement. The elimination of diffraction through time-reversal symmetry holds promise for advancing superresolution optical imaging and sensing techniques beyond existing capabilities.

Time-reversed Young's experiment: Deterministic, diffractionless second-order interference effect

TL;DR

This work presents a time-reversed version of Young’s double-slit experiment that yields diffraction-free, second-order interference patterns controlled by the source’s spatial extent rather than slit diffraction. By using a fixed detector and an extended, position-correlated light source, the authors demonstrate deterministic, programmable fringes formed through a nonlocal correlation between emission position and detection, without entanglement. The analysis derives transverse and longitudinal phase sensitivities, showing sub-diffraction-limited resolution that scales with geometry and photon number, and discusses advanced-wave interpretations and potential superresolution applications. The approach offers a novel, nonclassical perspective on interferometry with potential impact on high-precision imaging and sensing, while inviting further quantum-mechanical modeling and extension to other carriers of matter.

Abstract

The classic Young's double-slit experiment exhibits first-order interference, producing alternating bright and dark fringes modulated by the diffraction effect of the slits. In contrast, here we demonstrate that its time-reversed configuration produces an ideal, deterministic second-order 'ghost' interference pattern devoid of diffraction and first-order effect, with the size dependent on the dimensions of the `effectively extended light source.' Furthermore, the new system enables a range of effects and phenomena not available in traditional double-slit interference studies, including the formation of programmed and digitized interference fringes and the coincidence of the pattern plane and the source plane. Despite the absence of first-order interference, our proposed experiment does not rely on nonclassical correlations or quantum entanglement. The elimination of diffraction through time-reversal symmetry holds promise for advancing superresolution optical imaging and sensing techniques beyond existing capabilities.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 9 sections, 23 equations, 2 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Brief Overview of Classic Young's Experiment
  3. Time-Reversed Young's Experiment
  4. Advanced-Wave Interpretation
  5. Analysis on Phase Sensitivity and Spatial Resolution
  6. Transverse Phase Sensitivity and Resolution
  7. Longitudinal Phase Sensitivity and Resolution
  8. Discussion
  9. Summary and Outlook

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: (a) Schematic of the standard Young's experiment, showing that the diffraction-interference fringes and the source plane must be located on opposite sides of the double-slit plane. (b) Illustration of a typical first-order diffraction-interference pattern non-deterministically formed on the detection $y$-plane.
  • Figure 2: (a) Schematic of the time-reversed Young's experiment, demonstrating that the nonlocal, nondiffractive interference fringes (dashed blue) and the source plane overlap and are located on the same side of the double-slit plane. (b) Illustration of a second-order diffractionless interference pattern (dashed blue line in (a)) deterministically formed by organizing the recorded data from a fixed-position detector $D$ based on the measured position coordinates of each individual active point light emitter on the $y'$-plane.