Quaternionic quantum interferometry

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential for quaternionic quantum mechanics by examining algebraic relationships in scattering amplitudes and proposing experimental tests to detect deviations from standard complex quantum theory.

Contribution

It introduces a universal algebraic relationship for scattering amplitudes and suggests experimental tests to identify quaternionic effects or superposition failures.

Findings

Universal algebraic relationship for three scatterers with complex amplitudes

Proposed experimental tests in neutron interferometry and particle scattering

Potential to detect quaternionic quantum effects or superposition violations

Abstract

If scattering amplitudes are ordinary complex numbers (not quaternions) there is a universal algebraic relationship between the six coherent cross sections of any three scatterers (taken singly and pairwise). A violation of this relationship would indicate either that scattering amplitudes are quaternions, or that the superposition principle fails. Some possible experimental tests involve neutron interferometry, K_S-meson regeneration, and low energy proton-proton scattering.