Controlled double-slit electron diffraction

TL;DR

This paper experimentally realizes Feynman's thought experiment on double-slit electron diffraction, demonstrating quantum interference and particle-wave duality through controlled slit transmission and single-electron detection.

Contribution

It provides the first full experimental realization of Feynman's double-slit thought experiment with electrons, including controlled slit transmission and single-event diffraction pattern buildup.

Findings

Observed probability distributions for single and double slits.

Built diffraction patterns from individual electron detections.

Demonstrated control over quantum interference phenomena.

Abstract

Double-slit diffraction is a corner stone of quantum mechanics. It illustrates key features of quantum mechanics: interference and the particle-wave duality of matter. In 1965, Richard Feynman presented a thought experiment to show these features. Here we demonstrate the full realization of his famous thought experiment. By placing a movable mask in front of a double-slit to control the transmission through the individual slits, probability distributions for single- and double-slit arrangements were observed. Also, by recording single electron detection events diffracting through a double-slit, a diffraction pattern was built up from individual events.