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The Chemical Educator
ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)
Abstract Volume 10
Issue 6 (2005) pp 424-426
Illustrating the Superposition Principle with Single-Photon Interference
Frank Rioux
Department of Chemistry, St. John’s University, College
of
St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN 56374, frioux@csbsju.edu
Received July 25, 2005.
Accepted Oct 7, 2005.
Published online: 17 Novenber 2005
Abstract. Single-photon interference in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer is used to illustrate the superposition principle. Three methods of analysis of an historically important experiment are presented at a level appropriate for an undergraduate course in quantum chemistry or physics. The importance of the superposition principle in chemistry is also discussed.
Key Words: In the Classroom; physical chemistry; quantum chemistry
(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: frioux@csbsju.edu)
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Issue date: December 1, 2005
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