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Direct measurement of the quantum wavefunction

Author

Listed:
  • Jeff S. Lundeen

    (Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)

  • Brandon Sutherland

    (Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)

  • Aabid Patel

    (Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)

  • Corey Stewart

    (Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)

  • Charles Bamber

    (Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)

Abstract

What is a wavefunction? The wavefunction, describing both the wave-like and the particle-like nature of everything in the Universe, is central to quantum theory. Physicists usually learn about it indirectly in tomographic experiments that measure only some aspects of its behaviour. Now a team from Canada's Institute for National Measurement Standards has developed a new and gentle technique that makes it possible to observe the wavefunction directly. They demonstrate the approach by measuring the transverse spatial wavefunction of a single photon. The discovery that the wavefunction can be probed directly provides a tool that could prove useful in a wide range of fields, and raises questions bordering on the philosophical about what the wavefunction actually is.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeff S. Lundeen & Brandon Sutherland & Aabid Patel & Corey Stewart & Charles Bamber, 2011. "Direct measurement of the quantum wavefunction," Nature, Nature, vol. 474(7350), pages 188-191, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:474:y:2011:i:7350:d:10.1038_nature10120
    DOI: 10.1038/nature10120
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    Cited by:

    1. Pengfei Wang & Hyukjoon Kwon & Chun-Yang Luan & Wentao Chen & Mu Qiao & Zinan Zhou & Kaizhao Wang & M. S. Kim & Kihwan Kim, 2024. "Snapshotting quantum dynamics at multiple time points," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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