Picosecond timing resolution detection of γ-photons utilizing microchannel-plate detectors: experimental tests of quantum nonlocality and photon localization

Abstract

The concept and subsequent experimental verification of the proportionality between pulse amplitude and detector transit time for microchannel-plate detectors is presented. This discovery has led to considerable improvement in the overall timing resolution for detection of high-energy γ-photons. Utilizing a 22Na positron source, a full width half maximum (FWHM) timing resolution of 138 ps has been achieved. This FWHM includes detector transit-time spread for both chevron-stack-type detectors, timing spread due to uncertainties in annihilation location, all electronic uncertainty and any remaining quantum mechanical uncertainty. The first measurement of the minimum quantum uncertainty in the time interval between detection of the two annihilation photons is reported. The experimental results give strong evidence against instantaneous spatial localization of γ-photons due to measurement-induced nonlocal quantum wavefunction collapse. The experimental results are also the first that imply momentum is conserved only after the quantum uncertainty in time has elapsed (Yukawa H 1935 Proc. Phys. Math. Soc. Japan 17 48).