Wave-Packet Analysis of Single-Slit Ghost Diffraction

TL;DR

This paper explains single-slit ghost diffraction using wave-packet evolution of a generalized EPR state, showing that diffraction features can be understood through wave-packet spreading within the Fresnel approximation.

Contribution

It introduces a simple wave-packet analysis of ghost diffraction, providing a clear explanation based on wave evolution and truncation effects.

Findings

Reproduces all features of ghost diffraction

Uses wave-packet spreading to explain diffraction phenomena

Provides a simple, intuitive model for ghost diffraction

Abstract

We show that single-slit two-photon ghost diffraction can be explained very simply by using a wave-packet evolution of a generalised EPR state. Diffraction of a wave travelling in the x-direction can be described in terms of the spreading in time of the transverse (z-direction) wave-packet, within the Fresnel approximation. The slit is assumed to truncate the transverse part of the wavefunction of the photon to within the width of the slit. The analysis reproduces all features of the two-photon single-slit ghost diffraction.