Photons are lying about where they have been, again

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the interpretation of photon presence in quantum experiments, resolving apparent contradictions through interference effects and validating findings with computer simulations.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of photon presence characterization in pre- and postselected states, clarifying previous conflicting claims.

Findings

Interference effects explain apparent photon presence contradictions.

Computer simulations support the theoretical analysis.

Weak value approach's limitations are addressed.

Abstract

Bhati and Arvind [Phys. Lett. A, 127955 (2022)] recently argued that in a specially designed experiment the timing of photon detection events demonstrates photon presence at a location at which they are not present according to the weak value approach. The alleged contradiction is resolved by a subtle interference effect resulting in anomalous sensitivity of the signal imprinted on the postselected photons for the interaction at this location, similarly to the case of a nested Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a Dove prism [Quant. Stud.: Mat. Found. 2, 255 (2015)]. We perform an in depth analysis of the characterization of the presence of a pre- and postselected particle at a particular location based on information imprinted on the particle itself. The theoretical results are tested by a computer simulation of the proposed experiment.