Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A random-walk approach to interference

  • Published:
International Journal of Theoretical Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper we sketch a probabilistic particle approach requiring no separate concept of wave to obtain interference. We describe in some detail how things work from a physical standpoint and show with a number of figures how the standard wave concepts are developed from purely particle random walks. For the wave concepts we have in each case a matching probability concept. The preliminary theory developed here is qualitative and stresses the physical character of the assumptions. In particular, we show that the periodic behavior of light is derived from the source and not from individual photons.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Feynman, R. (1985).QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter, Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heisenberg, W. (1930).Quantum Theory, Dover, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orsingher, E. (1986). Planar random motion governed by the two-dimensional telegraph equation,Journal of Applied Probability,23, 385–397.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Study of Language and Information, Stanford University, 94305-4115, Stanford, California

    Patrick Suppes & J. Acacio de Barros

Authors
  1. Patrick Suppes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Acacio de Barros
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Suppes, P., de Barros, J.A. A random-walk approach to interference. Int J Theor Phys 33, 179–189 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00671623

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00671623

Keywords

Search

Navigation