An Explanation of Interference Effects in the Double Slit Experiment: Classical Trajectories plus Ballistic Diffusion caused by Zero-Point Fluctuations
A classical explanation of interference effects in the double slit experiment is proposed. We claim that for every single „particle“ a thermal context can be defined, which reflects its embedding within boundary conditions as given by the totality of arrangements in an experimental apparatus. To account for this context, we introduce a „path excitation field“, which derives from the thermodynamics of the zero-point vacuum and which represents all possible paths a „particle“ can take via thermal path fluctuations. The intensity distribution on a screen behind a double slit is calculated, as well as the corresponding trajectories and the probability density current. The trajectories are shown to obey a „no crossing“ rule with respect to the central line, i.e., between the two slits and orthogonal to their connecting line. This agrees with the Bohmian interpretation, but appears here without the necessity of invoking the quantum potential.
Classical computer simulation of the interference pattern: intensity distribution with increasing intensity from white through yellow and orange, with trajectories (red) for two Gaussian slits, and with small dispersion (evolution from bottom to top; v(x,1) = -v(x,2)). The trajectories follow a „no crossing“ rule: particles from the left slit stay on the left side and vice versa for the right slit. This feature is explained here by a sub-quantum build-up of kinetic (heat) energy acting as an emergent repellor along the symmetry line.
Classical computer simulation of the interference pattern: intensity distribution with increasing intensity from white through yellow and orange, with trajectories (red) for two Gaussian slits, and with large dispersion (evolution from bottom to top; v(x,1) = v(x,2) = 0). The interference hyperbolas for the maxima characterize the regions where the phase difference phi = 2n(pi), and those with the minima lie at phi = (2n + 1)(pi), n = 0,1,2,… Note in particular the “kinks” of trajectories moving from the center-oriented side of one relative maximum to cross over to join more central (relative) maxima. In our classical explanation of interference, a detailed „micro-causal“ account of the corresponding kinematics can be given.
Gerhard Groessing, Siegfried Fussy, Johannes Mesa Pascasio, Herbert Schwabl An explanation of interference effects in the double slit experiment: Classical trajectories plus ballistic diffusion caused by zero-point fluctuations Annals of Physics 327 (2012) 421-437 quant-ph/arXiv:1106.5994
