Interference in Quantum Mechanics

TL;DR

This paper reviews the fundamental role of quantum interference phenomena, including single-photon, two-photon, and higher-order interference, in understanding the core mysteries and foundations of quantum mechanics.

Contribution

It provides a focused analysis of various interference effects and their implications for the foundational principles of quantum mechanics.

Findings

Interference explains many counterintuitive quantum phenomena

Higher-order interference has deep implications for quantum foundations

Quantum interference phenomena are central to understanding quantum mysteries

Abstract

Physicist and Nobel Laureate Richard P. Feynman once remarked ``We choose to examine a phenomenon which is impossible, absolutely impossible, to explain in any classical way, and which has in it the heart of quantum mechanics. In reality, it contains the only mystery. We cannot make the mystery go away by ``explaining'' how it works. We will just tell you how it works. In telling you how it works, we will have told you about the basic peculiarities of all quantum mechanics'' [Feynman RP, Leighton RB, Sands M (1963 and 1965)]. The phenomenon of interference is ubiquitous in the quantum world and indeed holds within itself the explanation for many counterintuitive quantum phenomena. In this review, we choose to focus on a few ramifications and manifestations of quantum interference that have deep implications for the foundations of quantum mechanics. These include single-photon or second-order interference, two-photon or fourth-order interference and higher-order interference.