Collective behavior in quantum interference: an alternative superposition principle

Abstract: An interferometer in which all of its components are treated as quantum bodies is examined with the standard interpretation and with a model in which its uncoupled spatially separated components act collectively. These models utilize superposition principles that differ when applied to systems composed of three or more bodies. Interferometric disparities between them involving frequency shifts and recoil are shown to be difficult to measure. More pronounced discrepancies involve correlated interference. The collective model is shown to provide a missing connection between quantum and semiclassical theories. Scattering from an entangled state, which cannot be divided into disjoint parts, is discussed in relation to collective recoil. Collective scattering is shown to be a viable alternative to the standard model, thereby providing insight into constructing tests of the superposition principle in systems with three or more bodies.