In a delayed-choice quantum eraser, interference fringes are obtained by erasing which-way information after the interfering particle has already been irreversibly detected. Following an introductory review of delayed-choice experiments and quantum erasure, we describe the experimental realization of an optical delayed-choice quantum eraser, suitable for advanced undergraduates, based on polarization-entangled pairs of single photons. In our experiment, the delay of the erasure is implemented using two different setups. The first setup employs an arrangement of mirrors to increase the optical path length of the photons carrying which-way information. In the second setup, we use fiber-optic cables to elongate the path of these photons after their passage through the polarization analyzer but prior to their arrival at the detector. We compare our results to data obtained in the absence of a delay and find excellent agreement. This shows that the timing of the erasure is irrelevant, as also predicted by quantum mechanics. The experiment can serve as a valuable pedagogical tool for conveying the fundamentals of quantum mechanics.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
February 2016
PAPERS|
February 01 2016
Delayed-choice quantum eraser for the undergraduate laboratory Available to Purchase
James M. Ashby;
James M. Ashby
Department of Physics,
University of Portland
, 5000 North Willamette Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97203
Search for other works by this author on:
Peter D. Schwarz;
Peter D. Schwarz
Department of Physics,
University of Portland
, 5000 North Willamette Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97203
Search for other works by this author on:
Maximilian Schlosshauer
Maximilian Schlosshauer
a)
Department of Physics,
University of Portland
, 5000 North Willamette Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97203
Search for other works by this author on:
James M. Ashby
Department of Physics,
University of Portland
, 5000 North Willamette Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97203
Peter D. Schwarz
Department of Physics,
University of Portland
, 5000 North Willamette Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97203
Maximilian Schlosshauer
a)
Department of Physics,
University of Portland
, 5000 North Willamette Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97203a)
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Electronic mail: [email protected]
Am. J. Phys. 84, 95–105 (2016)
Article history
Received:
August 04 2015
Accepted:
December 04 2015
Citation
James M. Ashby, Peter D. Schwarz, Maximilian Schlosshauer; Delayed-choice quantum eraser for the undergraduate laboratory. Am. J. Phys. 1 February 2016; 84 (2): 95–105. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.4938151
Download citation file:
Pay-Per-View Access
$40.00
Sign In
You could not be signed in. Please check your credentials and make sure you have an active account and try again.
Citing articles via
Detecting gravitational waves with light
Markus Pössel
Ergodic Lagrangian dynamics in a superhero universe
I. L. Tregillis, George R. R. Martin
All objects and some questions
Charles H. Lineweaver, Vihan M. Patel
Temperature as joules per bit
Charles Alexandre Bédard, Sophie Berthelette, et al.
Online “Advanced Labs” in physics
Peter A. Bennett
The right way to introduce complex numbers in damped harmonic oscillators
Jason Tran, Leanne Doughty, et al.
Related Content
Education transformation in 5.0 society development era
AIP Conf. Proc. (June 2023)
Examining tertiary learners’ preparedness to face their future employment in fourth industrial revolution era
AIP Conf. Proc. (June 2023)
Humanist literacy education of language learning in the digital era of the 21st century: An interpersonal rhetoric approach
AIP Conf. Proc. (August 2023)
Investigating the impact of social media as a tool for e-learning in the digital era
AIP Conf. Proc. (November 2023)
Interface atomic structure of epitaxial ErAs layers on (001) In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As and GaAs
Appl. Phys. Lett. (June 2005)