On the analogy of quantum wave-particle duality with bouncing droplets

TL;DR

This paper investigates hydrodynamic bouncing droplets as analogues to quantum wave-particle duality, demonstrating classical diffraction and interference patterns that resemble quantum phenomena, while highlighting fundamental differences from quantum mechanics.

Contribution

It models bouncing droplets to draw parallels with quantum behavior and numerically reproduces diffraction and interference patterns similar to quantum experiments.

Findings

Reproduces single-slit diffraction patterns

Simulates double-slit interference patterns

Identifies fundamental differences from quantum mechanics

Abstract

We explore the hydrodynamic analogues of quantum wave-particle duality in the context of a bouncing droplet system which we model in such a way as to promote comparisons to the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation of quantum mechanics. Through numerical means we obtain single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference patterns that strongly resemble those reported in experiment and that reflect a striking resemblance to quantum diffraction and interference on a phenomenological level. We, however, identify evident differences from quantum mechanics which arise from the governing equations at the fundamental level.