Physics Colloquium: Experimental testing of Born rule in quantum mechanics

Abstract:

The Born rule, connecting measured probabilities to the wavefunction amplitude, is a basic axiom in quantum mechanics. To our surprise, this rule was not tested experimentally until quite recently.

We present an experiment, using Helium diffraction from Nanoslits, that tests this rule. We can set an upper limit of the deviation from this rule to an accuracy of 10-4, approaching the limit set by Feynman path integral for nonclassical paths.

Event Organizer: Dr. Ishay Pomerantz