QUANTUM INTERFERENCE AND THE QUANTUM POTENTIAL

We re-examine the notion of the quantum potential introduced by the Broglie and Bohm and calculate its explicit form in the case of the two-slit interference experiment. We also calculate the ensemble of particle trajectories through the two slits. The results show clearly how the quantum potential produces the bunching of trajectories that is required to obtain the usual fringe intensity pattern. Hence we are able to account for the interference fringes while retaining the notion of a well-defined particle trajectory. The wider implications of the quantum potential particularly in regard to the quantum interconnectedness are discussed. © 1979 Società Italiana di Fisica.