Computational
Physics
Research: Event-based simulation

Single-neutron experiments


Picture of the Bell-test neutron interference experiment

The discrete-event approach, which has already been shown to give a cause-and-effect explanation of many quantum optics experiments, is applied to single-neutron interferometry experiments. The simulation algorithm yields a logically consistent description in terms of individual neutrons and does not require the knowledge of the solution of a wave equation. The simulation method reproduces the results of several single-neutron interferometry experiments, including experiments which, in quantum theoretical language, involve entanglement. Our results demonstrate that classical (non-Hamiltonian) systems can exhibit correlations which in quantum theory are associated with interference and entanglement, also when all particles emitted by the source are accounted for.

More information on this simulation method and its applications can be found on the website http://www.compphys.net/dlm

Selected publications:
  • H. De Raedt and K. Michielsen,
    "Event-by-event simulation of quantum phenomena",
    Ann. Phys. 524, 393 – 410 (2012)
    PDF
  • H. De Raedt, F. Jin, and K. Michielsen,
    "Event-Based Simulation of Neutron Interferometry Experiments"
    Quantum Matter 1, 20 –  40 (2012)
    PDF
Presentations:
  • Event-by-event simulation of neutron interferometry experiments
    PDF