Delayed choice experiment using atoms in optical cavity

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to perform a delayed choice experiment with ultra-cold atoms in an optical cavity, aiming to observe wave-particle duality without collapsing the wavefunction.

Contribution

It introduces a new experimental configuration combining proven techniques to preserve atomic coherence during measurement, enabling probing of 'welcher-Weg' information nondestructively.

Findings

Successful implementation of a delayed choice experiment with atoms in a cavity

Preservation of atomic coherence during internal state detection

Demonstration of wave-particle duality in a controlled atomic system

Abstract

In this article, we propose a method to realize the "delayed choice experiment" using ultra-cold atoms. Here we attempt to probe the "welcher-Weg" information without collapsing the wavefunction of the atom. This experiment consists of components built around proven techniques that are put together in novel configuration to preserve the coherence of the system during the measurement. The Ramsey interference is used to establish the wave nature of the atom and the particle nature of the atom is probed by detecting its internal state by performing a nondemolition measurement using an ultra-high finesse cavity. The coherence of the atom is preserved by adjusting the atom-cavity interaction time such that the state of the atom is unchanged when it emerges out of the cavity.