A wave nature-based interpretation of the nonclassical feature of photon bunching on a beam splitter

TL;DR

This paper offers a wave-based interpretation of photon bunching on a beam splitter, explaining the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect through phase basis superposition rather than particle nature, supported by interferometry experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel wave nature-based explanation for photon bunching, challenging the conventional particle-based understanding and clarifying the quantum feature via phase superposition.

Findings

Photon bunching explained by phase basis superposition

Supports interpretation with Mach-Zehnder interferometer

Deepens understanding of quantum interference phenomena

Abstract

Born rule is key to understanding quantum mechanics based on the probability amplitude for the measurement process of a physical quantity. Based on a typical particle nature of a photon, the quantum feature of photon bunching on a beam splitter between two output photons can be explained by Born rule even without clear definition of the relative phase between two input photons. Unlike conventional understanding on this matter, known as the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect, here, we present a new interpretation based on the wave nature of a photon, where the quantum feature of photon bunching is explained through phase basis superposition of the beam splitter. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer is additionally presented to support the correctness of the presented method. As a result, our limited understanding of the quantum feature is deepened via phase basis superposition regarding the destructive quantum interference. Thus, the so-called mysterious quantum feature is now clarified by both the definite phase relationship between paired photons and a new term of the phase basis superposition of an optical system.