Einstein–Bohr recoiling double-slit gedanken experiment performed at the molecular level. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, X-J; Miao, Q; Gel'mukhanov, F; Patanen, M; Travnikova, O; Nicolas, C; Ågren, H; Ueda, K; Miron, C
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Number 635(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/635/11/112063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Synopsis: Double-slit experiments illustrate proof for wave–particle complementarity. The essence of Einstein–Bohr's debate about wave–particle duality was whether the momentum transfer between a particle and a recoiling slit could mark the path, thus destroying the interference. We realized this recoiling double-slit gedanken experiment by resonant X-ray photoemission from molecular oxygen for geometries near equilibrium (coupled slits) and in a dissociative state far away from equilibrium (decoupled slits). Interference is observed in the former case, while the electron momentum transfer quenches the interference in the latter case.