What is the function of a collapsed wave?

In summary, the function of a "collapsed" wave is to define the two lines that appear in the results of a dual slit experiment. This collapse occurs when the particles are treated as particles rather than wave-particles, and it is experimentally proven that the wave function collapse results in a single spot on the screen or film. To see the full pattern, multiple photons are needed. Additionally, the specific function that determines the interference pattern in a dual slit experiment is the dirac delta function, which takes into account factors such as wavelength, distance between slits, and screen distance. The width of the slits also plays a role in this function.
  • #1
khkwang
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What is the function of a "collapsed" wave?

I know from observing the particle in a dual slit experiment the wave function collapses and the results becomes something like 2 lines, but is there a function that defines the two lines?

Does it just collapse to a function of how the particles would act if they were treated as particles rather than wave-particles? If so, was it experimentally proven, or just assumed?
 
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  • #2


The wave function 'collapse' of a single particle is a single spot on the screen or film. To see the entire pattern you need more than one photon.

Have you seen an interference pattern from two slits? There is a specific function that depends on wavelength, the distance between the two slits, and the distance to the screen. For a more comprehensive treatment, the width of the slits is also a factor such displayed in the image below.

[PLAIN]http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phys2020/phys2020_f98/lab_manual/Lab5/Image2109.gif
 
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  • #3


The function is called the dirac delta function.
 

Related to What is the function of a collapsed wave?

What is the function of a collapsed wave?

The function of a collapsed wave is to represent the probability of finding a particle at a specific location in space. When a wave function collapses, it means that the particle's position has been measured and its location is now known.

Why does a wave function collapse?

A wave function collapses when it interacts with a measuring device or observer. This is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics known as the measurement problem. The exact mechanism behind wave function collapse is still a topic of debate among scientists.

What happens to the wave function after it collapses?

After a wave function collapses, it becomes a single, definite state. This means that the particle's properties, such as position and momentum, are now known with certainty. The wave function can then be used to calculate the probability of finding the particle in different states in the future.

Can a wave function collapse more than once?

Yes, a wave function can collapse multiple times. Each time it interacts with a measuring device or observer, it will collapse into a single, definite state. This process can be repeated as many times as needed.

What does the collapse of a wave function tell us about the nature of reality?

The collapse of a wave function suggests that the act of observation or measurement plays a crucial role in defining the properties of particles at the quantum level. It also raises questions about the nature of reality and the role of consciousness in shaping it.

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