Alain Aspect, Institut d'Optique
From Einstein to Wheeler: wave particle duality for a photon
Dr. Aspect is an important figure in the quantum world. In 1982, he performed a series of experiments demonstrating that one of the strangest predictions of quantum mechanics – quantum entanglement – was true. This forced a complete change in our understanding of the universe.
The Faculty of Science will award Dr. Aspect with an Honorary Degree on October 24.
Abstract:
Since the early days of quantum mechanics, as emphasized in Feynman's lectures on physics, interference between spatially separated trajectories of a single particle has not ceased to fascinate physicists. I will present experiments realized with a true single photon source, which have allowed us to emphasize the weirdness of the concept of wave particle duality, at the root of the quantum revolution of the early 20th century. Such single photon sources are now an important resource in the domain of quantum information.