Polarization Correlation of Entangled Photons Derived Without Using Non-local Interactions

Abstract

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Entangled photons leaving parametric down-conversion sources exhibit a pronounced polarization correlation. The data violate Bell's inequality thus proving that local realistic theories cannot explain the correlation results. Therefore, many physicists are convinced that the correlation can only be brought about by non-local interactions. Some of them even assume that instantaneous influences at a distance are at work. Actually, assuming a strict phase correlation of the photons at the source the observed polarization correlation can be deduced from wave optical considerations. The correlation has its origin in the phase coupling of circularly polarized wave packets leaving the fluorescence photon source simultaneously. The enlargement of the distances between photon source and observers does not alter the correlation if the polarization status of the wave packets accompanying the photons is not changed on their way from the source to the observers. At least with respect to the polarization correlation of entangled photons the principle of locality remains valid.

Keywords

• Bell's theorem
• violation of Bell's inequality
• non-local interactions
• instantaneous influence at a distance
• polarization correlation
• entangled photons