The Quantum Double Slit Experiment With Local Elements of Reality

TL;DR

This paper offers a fully local quantum field theory explanation of the double slit experiment, eliminating wave-particle duality paradoxes by emphasizing particles as field excitations rather than primary reality elements.

Contribution

It provides a pedagogical, general local field theory framework for quantum interference phenomena, including the double slit and single qubit interference, challenging traditional wave-particle duality views.

Findings

Local field theory describes interference without paradoxes

Particles are excitations of underlying fields, not primary reality

Framework applies to bosonic and fermionic fields in space and time

Abstract

We present a fully local treatment of the double slit experiment in the formalism of quantum field theory. Our exposition is predominantly pedagogical in nature and exemplifies the fact that there is an entirely local description of the quantum double slit interference that does not suffer from any supposed paradoxes usually related to the wave-particle duality. The wave-particle duality indeed vanishes in favour of the field picture in which particles should not be regarded as the primary elements of reality and only represent excitations of some specific field configurations. Our treatment is general and can be applied to any other phenomenon involving quantum interference of any bosonic or fermionic field, both spatially and temporally. For completeness, we present the full treatment of single qubit interference in the same spirit.