Interference and Correlations in Photon and Electron Optics

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Abstract
The quantum theory of interference effects is given. Three experiments of particular interest are treated: (i) Young-type experiments, (ii) production of beats in photocurrents, and (iii) optical modulation of electron beams. These have been of considerable interest in recent experiments using lasers. We show that they can be accounted for by the same simple quantum-mechanical principle. In the first case, we include the effect of interference in single-photon processes and correlations in multiphoton processes. Here the method of Weisskopf and Wigner is used, and useful distinction between the concept of interference and correlation is proposed. We further emphasize the dynamical aspect of the theory. In the last two cases, we use the standard method of quantum electrodynamics. Here we view the actual experimental setup as being described by a single dynamical process. The description involves the use of nonstationary states as the relevant states to describe the successive excitation. It is shown that all the three phenomena analyzed are closely related.

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