Classical model of a delayed-choice quantum eraser

Wheeler's delayed-choice experiment was conceived to illustrate the paradoxical nature of wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics. In the experiment, quantum light can exhibit either wavelike interference patterns or particlelike anticorrelations, depending upon the (possibly delayed) choice of the experimenter. A variant known as the quantum eraser uses entangled light to recover the lost interference in a seemingly nonlocal and retrocausal manner. Although it is believed that this behavior is incompatible with classical physics, here we show that, using postselection, the observed quantum phenomena can be reproduced by adopting a simple deterministic detector model and supposing the existence of a random zero-point electromagnetic field.

Automated summary

Wheeler's delayed-choice experiment reveals the paradoxical nature of wave-particle duality, showing that quantum light's behavior depends on the experimenter's choice and can even recover interference in a seemingly retrocausal manner. Research suggests that using postselection and assuming the existence of a zero-point electromagnetic field can reproduce the observed quantum phenomena.