For those of you familiar with the 2-slit trick in quantum physics: I have a har

Question

For those of you familiar with the 2-slit trick in quantum physics:

I have a hard time believing that 'the same particle is interfering with itself' and other similar outlandish explanations floating around in the scientific community are plausible.

Is it possible that a free floating atom may simply be following the wave trajectory of light because of the effect of the photons and light velocity on that particle? The effect being not unlike Einstein's photoelectric effect that observably causes electrons to bounce.

Could the extremely low mass and density of a free floating atom make it susceptible to be 'carried' by light in its natural path - thus creating the wave induced interference pattern?

The pattern disappears when observed because the mechanics are so extremely delicate that a clever enough method of observing it without altering it has not yet been discovered.

Explanation / Answer

You are hinting around the edges of the so-called Bohm-deBroglie pilot wave. Here the quantum is deterministic and particle only. But the space time around each quantum is curved and oscillating creating the pilot waves. These pilot waves actually guide the single quantum through the slit according to wave mechanics, but waves of space-time and not the quantum.

Look up the recent Couder pilot wave experiments on the Web. You will be amazed to see that the pilot wave can actually be demonstrated at the macro level using silicon oil droplets as the quanta. And using these to simulate the split slit experiments we all know and love, we can actually see the pilot waves pilot (guide) the droplet quanta around and through the slits to form interference bands at the far side of the slits. Fascinating stuff... could make quantum mechanics passe'.

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