Radin D., Michel L., Pierce A., Delorme Arnaud. (2015) Psychophysical interactions with a single-photon double-slit optical system. Quantum Biosystems. 6(1), 82-98
Abstract
Six experiments were conducted using a single-photon double-slit apparatus to test von Neumann’s notion that the quantum wavefunction is “collapsed” by what he called a psychophysical interaction. Individuals were asked to direct their attention toward or away from the optical system while receiving information about the number of photons arriving per second at an interference fringe minimum. Overall the experiments found evidence supportive of an interaction that appears to “steer” the wavefunction to either reduce or to sharpen interference fringes. This outcome informs efforts to unify subjective and objective modes of apprehending the world because it suggests that these two apparently different ways of knowing may be complementary aspects of a unitary phenomenon, analogous to how a Möbius strip appears to have two sides, but when examined is found to have only one. The correlations observed in our experiments can be interpreted in two main ways: as a form of mind-matter interaction, which implies a dualistic model, or as arising from a common source, which implies a monist model. We propose that a monist model is a more satisfying explanation.
