The Interferometer experiments with photons, particles and waves simulation aims to help students develop an understanding of single photons and single photon interference by allowing students to compare and contrast the behaviour of classical particles, electromagnetic waves and single photons when passing through the same experimental setup. Students can insert a single beamsplitter or build an interferometer, and for waves and photons insert a phase shifter to vary the relative phase between the two arms. The simulation depicts single photons and the photon superposition state in order to help students build models of single photon interference. Detections are depicted as flashes in the detectors. An accompanying activity for this simulation is available at http://quantumphysics.iop.org and at www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics/quvis. The simulation can be downloaded from the QuVis website www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics/quvis.
This simulation is part of the UK Institute of Physics New Quantum Curriculum, see http://quantumphysics.iop.org. Simulations and accompanying activities can be accessed from the IOP site and from www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics/quvis. Sharing of these resources is encouraged, with all usage under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND licence. Instructors can email quantumphysics@iop.org for activity solutions and to request to modify materials.