Towards probing for hypercomplex quantum mechanics in a waveguide interferometer. (29th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gstir, S; Chan, E; Eichelkraut, T; Szameit, A; Keil, R; Weihs, G
• Is Part Of: New journal of physics. Volume 23:Number 9(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09-29
• Subjects: foundation of quantum mechanics -- optical tests of quantum theory -- multi-path interferometer -- laser-written waveguides -- Peres test; Physics -- Periodicals; Physics; Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/ac2451
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-2630

Abstract

Abstract: We experimentally investigate the suitability of a multi-path waveguide interferometer with mechanical shutters for performing a test for hypercomplex quantum mechanics. Probing the interferometer with coherent light, we systematically analyse the influence of experimental imperfections that could lead to a false-positive test result. In particular, we analyse the effects of detector nonlinearity, input-power and phase fluctuations on different timescales, closed-state transmissivity of shutters and crosstalk between different interferometer paths. In our experiment, a seemingly small shutter transmissivity in the order of about 2 × 10 −4 is the main source of systematic error, which suggests that this is a key imperfection to monitor and mitigate in future experiments.