A groundbreaking physics experiment published this year reported measuring single photons in two locations simultaneously, an assertion that challenges the multiverse theory. While many physicists express skepticism, the researchers staunchly defend their findings.

In May, Holger Hoffman and his team from Hiroshima University revealed results from a refined version of the iconic double-slit experiment. Their findings indicate that individual photons are “delocalized,” suggesting they cannot be confined to one location.

The initial double-slit experiments, conducted in 1801, demonstrated that shining light through two narrow slits onto a screen resulted in a wavy interference pattern. This phenomenon persists even when photons are emitted one at a time, implying that a single photon can behave like a wave—a point of contention among physicists regarding the nature of single photons and measurement.

When referencing a quantum particle as wavelike, this typically pertains to its wave function, a mathematical representation of all potential locations the particle might occupy.

These potential states exist in a layered configuration until a measurement is made—a concept known as superposition. Most physicists contend that measuring a particle collapses its wave function from superposition to a singular state.

One way to understand this is to propose the existence of multiple overlapping universes, each allowing photons to navigate different paths, with potential interference between photons from these separate universes, a concept referred to as the “many-worlds” interpretation.

However, Hoffman and his collaborators argue that their experiments provide concrete evidence that photons traverse both slits, demonstrating the wave function as more than just a mathematical abstraction—it serves as a depiction of reality, countering the idea of a multiverse.

Nevertheless, many physicists have expressed concern regarding the team’s methodology, suggesting that repeated statistical measurements cannot adequately determine a particle’s attributes. “I don’t believe you can draw conclusions about a single photon based on this,” stated Andrew Jordan at Chapman University in California, discussing the report with New Scientist.

The assertion that these experiments could resolve foundational issues in quantum mechanics has been met with considerable skepticism, according to Hoffman, partially due to the innovative nature of their measurement techniques.

“We’re challenging traditional views,” Hoffman explained, noting that existing interpretations of quantum mechanics usually presume that measured values and their mathematical representations depict reality. “The many-worlds interpretation is essentially the most extreme extension of that presumption,” he added.

Hoffman asserts that their investigation reveals that mathematical wave functions do not embody reality; the only true reality is what can be measured. “Although superposition suggests that a state might be defined by hypothetical measurements, actual experimental data contradicts this broader interpretation,” he elaborated.

Despite facing difficulties in publishing their findings, Hoffman and his team have been invited to present their research to various academic groups and are actively refining their work. “We anticipated some resistance. If this endeavor were straightforward, it wouldn’t be worthwhile. Altering one’s perspective takes considerable effort,” Hoffman concluded.