On 7/27/2013 9:10 AM, Eric Angelini wrote:
But the weird effects of QM are observed in systems that are (temporarily) isolated from the environment.
... Is the double-slit experiment isolated from the environment? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment Best, É.
Yes, and the double slit experiment with buckyballs provides an excellent example because it allows varying the degree of isolation and causing the interference pattern to fade in or out. You heat up the buckyballs you are directing at the screen with the two slits. So the buckyballs can radiate IR photons with provides which-way information. So when they are cold you see the interference pattern and as you heat them up it fades away. And you don't have to "see" the IR photons or otherwise detect them; they just go away to be absorbed the lab walls. Brent