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.

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