Bohmian prediction about a two double-slit experiment and its disagreement with standard quantum mechanics

TL;DR

This paper proposes a two double-slit experiment with selective detection to empirically distinguish Bohmian mechanics from standard quantum mechanics at the individual level, revealing potential observable differences.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental setup and detection method that can differentiate between the two theories' predictions at the individual and statistical levels.

Findings

Different predictions at the individual level for symmetric arrangements.

Same predictions at the ensemble level.

Bohmian mechanics provides explicit predictions where standard QM is vague.

Abstract

The significance of proposals that can predict different results for standard and Bohmian quantum mechanics have been the subject of many discussions over the years. Here, we suggest a particular experiment (a two double-slit experiment) and a special detection process, that we call selective detection, to distinguish between the two theories. Using our suggested experiment, it is shown that the two theories predict different observable results at the individual level for a geometrically symmetric arrangement. However, their predictions are the same at the ensemble level. On the other hand, we have shown that at the statistical level, if we use our selective detection, then either the predictions of the two theories differ or where standard quantum mechanics is silent or vague, Bohmian quantum mechanics makes explicit predictions.