The end to 100 years of “wave-particle duality” mystery in quantum physics

The wave-particle duality mystery, present in the language of quantum physics since its historical origins 100 years ago, has no real correspondence with the actual behaviour of nature when it is observed. The dilemma of the so-called “single particle interference” experiments is not between particles versus waves: the interference in quantum physics is between probability amplitudes for different untagged alternatives in a definite transition between states. This article shows that the same conceptual basis is involved in a plethora of “two-state systems” as a consequence of the linear superposition principle, no matter whether the observables refer to either spatial or internal properties. Several examples, from the Young double-slit interference experiments to neutrino flavour oscillation experiments, are discussed in a common interpretation language.

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Publication Details

Journal
Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Published
2025-05-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/epn/2025209/pdf
Primary Topic
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

The end to 100 years of “wave-particle duality” mystery in quantum physics

José Bernabeu
Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
article

The end to 100 years of “wave-particle duality” mystery in quantum physics

José Bernabeu
article en

Abstract

The wave-particle duality mystery, present in the language of quantum physics since its historical origins 100 years ago, has no real correspondence with the actual behaviour of nature when it is observed. The dilemma of the so-called “single particle interference” experiments is not between particles versus waves: the interference in quantum physics is between probability amplitudes for different untagged alternatives in a definite transition between states. This article shows that the same conceptual basis is involved in a plethora of “two-state systems” as a consequence of the linear superposition principle, no matter whether the observables refer to either spatial or internal properties. Several examples, from the Young double-slit interference experiments to neutrino flavour oscillation experiments, are discussed in a common interpretation language.

Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 28%
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
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