The behavior of photons, which exhibit both wave-like and particle-like characteristics, is indeed related to the concept of interference. However, the explanation for this behavior is not based on the absence of self-time or the lack of position for photons.
The wave-particle duality of photons and other quantum particles is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. It means that particles such as photons can exhibit wave-like properties, such as interference patterns, as well as particle-like properties, such as localized detection at a specific position.
Interference occurs when two or more waves combine and either reinforce each other (constructive interference) or cancel each other out (destructive interference). In the case of light, interference arises due to the superposition principle, which states that the quantum state of a system can be a combination of multiple states.
In experiments such as the double-slit experiment, where light passes through two slits and creates an interference pattern on a screen, photons can interfere with themselves. This interference pattern arises from the overlapping of different possible paths that the photons can take, resulting in constructive and destructive interference at different points on the screen.
The behavior of photons is mathematically described using quantum wavefunctions, which encode the probability distribution of their properties, including position and momentum. The wavefunction evolves according to the laws of quantum mechanics, allowing for the manifestation of interference effects.
It's important to note that photons, like other quantum particles, still have a definite position and are subject to the laws of causality. The wave-particle duality and the phenomenon of interference arise from the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics and the mathematical formalism used to describe the behavior of quantum particles.
While the underlying mechanisms of wave-particle duality and interference are complex and can be counterintuitive, they have been extensively studied and validated through numerous experiments. These phenomena are key aspects of quantum mechanics and play a central role in our understanding of the quantum world.