complementarity principle

E323045

The complementarity principle is a foundational quantum mechanics concept stating that objects like electrons or photons exhibit mutually exclusive properties (such as wave-like and particle-like behavior) that can only be observed in different experimental setups, yet together provide a complete description of the system.

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complementarity principle canonical 2

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Predicate Object
instanceOf concept in quantum mechanics
interpretive principle in physics
physical principle
appliesTo electrons
other quantum particles
photons
associatedWith Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics
clarifiedBy Mach–Zehnder interferometer experiments
delayed-choice experiments
double-slit experiment
quantum eraser experiments
contrastsWith classical physics description of objects having simultaneously well-defined properties
coreIdea context-dependence of physical properties
mutual exclusivity of experimental arrangements
wave–particle duality
debatedBy Albert Einstein
debatedIn Bohr–Einstein debates
discussedIn Bohr’s 1928 paper “The Quantum Postulate and the Recent Development of Atomic Theory”
expressedThrough trade-offs between knowledge of complementary observables
field quantum mechanics
formalizedBy Bohr–Einstein debates
surface form: Bohr’s writings after the 1927 Solvay Conference
formulatedBy Niels Bohr
hasStatus foundational principle in standard quantum theory
implies measurement context affects which properties can be meaningfully ascribed
no single experimental arrangement can reveal all complementary properties simultaneously
influenced development of the Copenhagen interpretation
philosophy of science debates about realism and empiricism
influencedBy Niels Bohr’s philosophical views on observation
inModernView understood in terms of quantum information and measurement theory
involvesPropertyPair interference visibility
momentum
particle-like behavior
position
wave-like behavior
which-path information
mathematicallyLinkedTo non-commuting observables
oftenExpressedAs “wave and particle pictures are complementary, not contradictory”
philosophicalAspect epistemological limitation on descriptions of quantum systems
rejection of classical realism for all properties simultaneously
relatedConcept duality relations between which-path information and interference visibility
quantum contextuality
relatedTo uncertainty principle
surface form: Heisenberg uncertainty principle
requires different experimental setups to reveal different properties
scope applies to quantum systems, not classical macroscopic objects
statedAs certain physical properties are mutually exclusive yet jointly necessary for a complete description of a system
teachingExample electron diffraction through a crystal
single-photon interference experiments
yearProposed 1927

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Referenced by (2)

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Nicholas Baker knownFor complementarity principle
subject surface form: Niels Bohr