The double slit experiment and the time reversed fire alarm

TL;DR

This paper draws an analogy between the double slit experiment and a time reversed fire alarm, suggesting that quantum enigmas may be related to variations in the thermodynamic arrow of time, supported by Bayesian inference and classical uncertainty derivations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analogy linking quantum phenomena to time-reversed thermodynamic processes, offering a new perspective on quantum mechanics' enigma.

Findings

Closing a slit increases detection probability at certain points.

Bayesian inference relates to understanding past events in quantum context.

Classical uncertainty derived resembles quantum uncertainty.

Abstract

When both slits of the double slit experiment are open, closing one paradoxically increases the detection rate at some points on the detection screen. Feynman famously warned that temptation to "understand" such a puzzling feature only draws us into blind alleys. Nevertheless, we gain insight into this feature by drawing an analogy between the double slit experiment and a time reversed fire alarm. Much as closing the slit increases probability of a future detection, ruling out fire drill scenarios, having heard the fire alarm, increases probability of a past fire (using Bayesian inference). Classically, Bayesian inference is associated with computing probabilities of past events. We therefore identify this feature of the double slit experiment with a time reversed thermodynamic arrow. We believe that much of the enigma of quantum mechanics is simply due to some variation of time's arrow. In further support of this, we employ a plausible formulation of the thermodynamic arrow to derive an uncertainty in classical mechanics that is reminiscent of quantum uncertainty.