Multi-pinhole optical interference and its quantum description

The photonic state-vector function (PSVF) that is a formalistic solution of the photonic Schrödinger equation can completely describe optical interference phenomena from the point of view of quantum mechanics. By using microscopic parameters of the PSVF, the classical Young's double-pinhole interference effect has been reinterpreted. Here, we derive a general expression that may be used to describe the probability distribution of a photon during interference with an arbitrary multi-pinhole arrangement. Based on the expression, we draw interference pictures from three-pinhole to seven-pinhole experiments, which are consistent with the known classical simulations or experimental results.