Direct observation of the particle exchange phase of photons

Tschernig K, Mueller C, Smoor M, Kroh T, Wolters J, Benson O, Busch K, Perez-Leija A (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Nature Photonics Nature Publishing Group

Book Volume: 15

Pages Range: 671-675

Journal Issue: 9

DOI: 10.1038/s41566-021-00818-7

Abstract

Quantum theory stipulates that if two particles are identical in all physical aspects, the allowed states describing the system are either symmetric or antisymmetric with respect to permutations of single-particle states^1–5. Experimentally, the symmetry of the states can be inferred indirectly from the fact that neglecting the correct exchange symmetry in the theoretical analysis leads to dramatic discrepancies with the observations^6–13. The only way to directly unveil the symmetry of the states for, say, two identical particles is through the interference of the state itself and its physically permuted version, and measuring the phase associated with the permutation process, the so-called particle exchange phase¹⁴. Following this idea, we have observed the exchange phase of indistinguishable photons, providing direct evidence of their bosonic character.

Involved external institutions

Max-Born-Institut für Nichtlineare Optik und Kurzzeitspektroskopie im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. / Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy

Germany (DE) Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Germany (DE) Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Tschernig, K., Mueller, C., Smoor, M., Kroh, T., Wolters, J., Benson, O.,... Perez-Leija, A. (2021). Direct observation of the particle exchange phase of photons. Nature Photonics, 15(9), 671-675. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-021-00818-7

MLA:

Tschernig, Konrad, et al. "Direct observation of the particle exchange phase of photons." Nature Photonics 15.9 (2021): 671-675.

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