A trajectory-based understanding of quantum interference

TL;DR

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of quantum interference using both standard quantum mechanics and Bohmian mechanics, offering insights into wave-packet superpositions applicable to various complex quantum phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a unified framework for understanding wave-packet interference through both quantum and Bohmian perspectives, applicable to diverse quantum scenarios.

Findings

Clear physical pictures of interference dynamics obtained

Interference problems mapped onto wave packet scattering scenarios

Analysis applicable to complex quantum systems like scattering and diffraction

Abstract

Interference is one of the most fundamental features which characterizes quantum systems. Here we provide an exhaustive analysis of the interfere dynamics associated with wave-packet superpositions from both the standard quantum-mechanical perspective and the Bohmian one. From this analysis, clear and insightful pictures of the physics involved in this kind of processes are obtained, which are of general validity (i.e., regardless of the type of wave packets considered) in the understanding of more complex cases where interference is crucial (e.g., scattering problems, slit diffraction, quantum control scenarios or, even, multipartite interactions). In particular, we show how problems involving wave-packet interference can be mapped onto problems of wave packets scattered off potential barriers.