Tunneling photons pose no challenge to Bohmian mechanics

Abstract

Very recently, Sharoglazova et al. performed an experiment measuring the energy-velocity relationship and Bohmian velocity in coupled waveguides. Their data show a discrepancy between the semi-classical `speed' $v=\sqrt{2|\Delta |/m}$ and Bohmian velocity $v_s$ for $\Delta <-\hslash J_0$, leading them to claim a challenge to Bohmian mechanics. Here, we definitively demonstrate this experiment poses no challenge to Bohmian mechanics. First, $v$ and $v_S$ represent fundamentally distinct physical quantities -- comparing them is physically unjustified and cannot adjudicate between Copenhagen and Bohmian interpretations. Second, we rigorously show that both interpretations predict identical photon tunneling dynamics in coupled waveguides.

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