A newly proposed experiment could help us establish this

Feb 28, 2012 15:43 GMT  ·  By
This is the diagram of an experiment that may reveal whether we can see quantum images
   This is the diagram of an experiment that may reveal whether we can see quantum images

A new paper, entitled “Can humans see beyond intensity images?” poses a very interesting question – could we possibly see quantum images? A researcher proposes an experiment that he says could shed some light on this theoretical debate.

Exotic images based on quantum entanglement could very well be impossible to interpret for our brains. The issue here is that we can't even imagine what quantum images would look like. Northwestern University expert Geraldo Barbosa says that we can answer this question easily.

He proposes that experts use lasers to shine the shape of the letter A on non-linear crystals. This would lead to the formation of entangled pairs of photons, which would then be reflected back on a surface. If humans can perceive higher-order images, then an observer should see an A; if not, a blur.

Technology Review reports that there are some challenges associated with setting up this experiment, but Barbosa believes that it can be done. This should be interesting!