Computer simulation of Wheeler's delayed choice experiment with photons

TL;DR

This paper presents a classical, local causality-compliant computer simulation of Wheeler's delayed choice experiment with photons that reproduces quantum averages without relying on quantum theory concepts.

Contribution

It introduces a particle-only simulation model that matches quantum results for Wheeler's delayed choice experiment without violating local causality.

Findings

Simulation reproduces quantum averages

Model is based on experimental facts and local causality

No quantum theory concepts used in simulation

Abstract

We present a computer simulation model of Wheeler's delayed choice experiment that is a one-to-one copy of an experiment reported recently (V. Jacques {\sl et al.}, Science 315, 966 (2007)). The model is solely based on experimental facts, satisfies Einstein's criterion of local causality and does not rely on any concept of quantum theory. Nevertheless, the simulation model reproduces the averages as obtained from the quantum theoretical description of Wheeler's delayed choice experiment. Our results prove that it is possible to give a particle-only description of Wheeler's delayed choice experiment which reproduces the averages calculated from quantum theory and which does not defy common sense.