A Test of Empty Wave via Quantum Memory in a Weak Measurement Scheme

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2409.13383
• Publication Date: 2024-09-20
• Authors: Jian-Peng Dou; Feng Lü; Hao Tang; Xiao-Wen Shang; Xian‐Min Jin
• Keywords: Quantum Memory; Weak measurement

In quantum mechanics, a long-standing question remains: How does single photon traverse double slits? One intuitive picture suggests that the passes through only one slit, while its wavefunction splits into an ``empty" wave and ``full" wave. However, reality of this empty is yet to be verified. Here, we present novel experimental configuration combines memory weak measurement investigate nature A atomic excitation probabilistically split between free space memory, analogous two paths in double-slit experiment. The serves as path detector, where single-photon Raman scattering enhanced due presence stored spin wave, without collapsing state. This enhancement recorded classical information, retrieved twice, with interference visibility 79%. Unlike conventional schemes, values are detected during post-selection, our approach converts value information before takes place. Our results demonstrate potential device preserves coherence extracting partial offering new insights measurement.