Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states
written by
Tong Wan, Paul J. Emigh, and Peter S. Shaffer
Quantum states have complex probability amplitudes that are sometimes represented by positive real numbers multiplied by complex exponentials. Although the overall phase of a superposition state does not affect the probabilities, the relative phases between the component basis states can have measurable effects. A thorough grasp of relative phase is needed for students to understand various key ideas in quantum mechanics, including quantum interference and time dependence. We present preliminary results from an investigation into student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases that was conducted in sophomore- and junior-level quantum mechanics courses at the University of Washington (UW). The findings suggest that many students do not recognize that relative phases have measureable effects and tend to overlook the important role that complex numbers play in quantum mechanics.
Physics Education Research Conference 2017
Part of the PER Conference series
Cincinnati, OH: July 26-27, 2017
Pages 420-423
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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/quantum/items/detail.cfm?ID=14659">Wan, T, P. Emigh, and P. Shaffer. "Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, July 26-27, 2017.</a>
T. Wan, P. Emigh, and P. Shaffer, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, 2017, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836).
T. Wan, P. Emigh, and P. Shaffer, Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, 2017, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836>.
Wan, T., Emigh, P., & Shaffer, P. (2017, July 26-27). Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836
Wan, T, P. Emigh, and P. Shaffer. "Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, July 26-27, 2017. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836 (accessed 14 February 2025).
Wan, Tong, Paul Emigh, and Peter Shaffer. "Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states." Physics Education Research Conference 2017. Cincinnati, OH: 2017. 420-423 of PER Conference. 14 Feb. 2025 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836>.
@inproceedings{
Author = "Tong Wan and Paul Emigh and Peter Shaffer",
Title = {Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states},
BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2017},
Pages = {420-423},
Address = {Cincinnati, OH},
Series = {PER Conference},
Month = {July 26-27},
Year = {2017}
}
%A Tong Wan %A Paul Emigh %A Peter Shaffer %T Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states %S PER Conference %D July 26-27 2017 %P 420-423 %C Cincinnati, OH %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2017 %O July 26-27 %O application/pdf
%0 Conference Proceedings %A Wan, Tong %A Emigh, Paul %A Shaffer, Peter %D July 26-27 2017 %T Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states %B Physics Education Research Conference 2017 %C Cincinnati, OH %P 420-423 %S PER Conference %8 July 26-27 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836
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