Classical Simulation of Double Slit Interference via Ballistic Diffusion

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that double slit interference patterns can be classically simulated using ballistic diffusion models without quantum mechanics, reproducing quantum distributions and trajectories.

Contribution

It introduces a classical diffusion-based approach to simulate quantum interference, challenging the necessity of quantum formalism for such phenomena.

Findings

Successfully reproduces quantum intensity distributions

Derives trajectory distributions matching quantum results

Uses classical diffusion simulations without quantum mechanics

Abstract

Based on a proposed classical explanation, the quantum mechanical "decay of the wave packet" is shown to simply result from sub-quantum diffusion with a specific diffusivity varying in time due to a particle's changing thermal environment. The exact quantum mechanical intensity distribution, as well as the corresponding trajectory distribution and the velocity field of a Gaussian wave packet are therewith computed. We utilize no quantum mechanics, but only familiar simulation techniques for diffusion, e.g., finite differences or coupled map lattices (CML).