Decoherence is a process in quantum mechanics where the wave function of a system becomes entangled with its environment, resulting in the loss of coherence and causing the system to behave classically.
Photons are particles of light that do not interact strongly with their environment. They are electrically neutral and do not have any internal structure, making it difficult for them to become entangled with other particles and causing decoherence. Additionally, photons travel at the speed of light, making it difficult for interactions with other particles to occur.
As both a wave and a particle, photons have a dual nature that allows them to behave differently in different situations. In the case of decoherence, the wave-like nature of photons makes it difficult for them to become entangled with other particles, preventing the loss of coherence.
While photons are generally immune to decoherence, there are certain situations where they can experience it. For example, in the presence of strong gravitational fields or in certain types of materials, photons may become entangled and experience a loss of coherence.
Superposition is the principle that a particle can exist in multiple states simultaneously, and it is a key concept in quantum mechanics. Photons, as particles that can exist in multiple states, are less susceptible to decoherence because they are already in a state of superposition, making it difficult for them to become entangled with their environment.