Classical Simulation of Double Slit Interference via Ballistic Diffusion

Abstract

Based on a proposed classical explanation, the quantum mechanical "decay of the wave packet" is shown to simply result from sub-quantum diffusion with a specific diffusivity varying in time due to a particle's changing thermal environment. The exact quantum mechanical intensity distribution, as well as the corresponding trajectory distribution and the velocity field of a Gaussian wave packet are therewith computed. We utilize no quantum mechanics, but only familiar simulation techniques for diffusion, e.g., finite differences or coupled map lattices (CML).