Quantitative duality and quantum erasure for neutral kaons

Abstract

The aim of this contribution is to illustrate two basic aspects of quantum mechanics applied to the neutral kaon system. We first describe a recent quantitative formulation of Bohr's complementarity principle for free--space evolution of single kaons and entangled kaon pairs. We then show that the neutral kaon system is also suitable for an optimal demonstration of the ``quantum eraser'', including its operation in the ``delayed choice'' mode. In our discussions, strangeness oscillations play the role of the traditional interference pattern linked to wave--like behaviour. The role of the two interferometric paths taken by particle--like objects is played by the differently propagating $K_S$ and $K_L$ components. Their distinct decay widths provide a quantum ``mark'' which can be erased by appropriate strangeness measurements.

Invited talk at the Workshop on e+e- in the 1-2 GeV range, Alghero, Italy, September 2003 (eConf C0309101)