Observations of the delayed-choice quantum eraser using coherent photons

Sci Rep. 2023 Jun 16;13(1):9758. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36590-7.

Abstract

Quantum superposition is the cornerstone of quantum mechanics, where interference fringes originate in the self-interference of a single photon via indistinguishable photon characteristics. Wheeler's delayed-choice experiments have been extensively studied for the wave-particle duality over the last several decades to understand the complementarity theory of quantum mechanics. The heart of the delayed-choice quantum eraser is in the mutually exclusive quantum feature violating the cause-effect relation. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the quantum eraser using coherent photon pairs by the delayed choice of a polarizer placed out of the interferometer. Coherence solutions of the observed quantum eraser are derived from a typical Mach-Zehnder interferometer, where the violation of the cause-effect relation is due to selective measurements of basis choice.

MeSH terms

  • Heart*
  • Photons*
  • Physics