Continuum extension of bright–dark collective states for diffraction

Establish whether the bright–dark collective-state formalism, previously developed for discrete-mode interference such as multi-slit setups, can be extended to the continuous-mode regime underpinning single-slit diffraction, and identify the new physical structures that emerge in the continuum when such an extension is achieved.

Background

The paper contrasts discrete-mode interference (e.g., double- or multi-slit) with continuous-mode diffraction from a single slit, noting that the bright–dark state concept has clarified destructive interference in discrete settings. Extending this concept to diffraction requires handling a continuum of modes defined across the slit aperture.

The authors frame a central challenge: moving from a finite set of detector-coupled modes to a continuum and understanding any emergent structures that arise in this transition. They then develop a detector-oriented basis for continuous modes, but the question is explicitly flagged as open before their formulation is introduced.