The delayed choice and quantum eraser experiments do not provide direct support for John Wheeler's participatory universe theory. While these experiments demonstrate intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics, they do not specifically validate the broader philosophical implications put forth by Wheeler.
The delayed choice experiment, first proposed by Wheeler, investigates the behavior of quantum particles in scenarios where the observer's choice about whether to measure certain properties is made after the particle has already passed through a set of slits or other interfering elements. The experiment shows that the choice made by the experimenter affects the observed behavior of the particles. However, this does not provide conclusive evidence for the participatory universe theory, which suggests that conscious observation is required to "collapse" the wavefunction and determine reality.
Similarly, the quantum eraser experiment explores the correlation between the measurement of a particle's interference pattern and the availability of which-path information (information about which path the particle took) after the interference. It demonstrates that post-selection measurements can potentially erase the which-path information and restore the interference pattern. However, this phenomenon is still within the framework of quantum mechanics and does not directly support the broader philosophical implications of the participatory universe theory.
Wheeler's participatory universe theory proposes a more radical interpretation of quantum mechanics, suggesting that consciousness plays a fundamental role in the creation and determination of reality. While the delayed choice and quantum eraser experiments shed light on the strange and counterintuitive nature of quantum mechanics, they do not provide direct empirical evidence for the participatory universe theory. It remains a matter of philosophical speculation and interpretation beyond the scope of current experimental findings.
It's important to note that there are various interpretations of quantum mechanics, each with its own philosophical implications, but none have achieved a consensus among physicists. The participatory universe theory is one such interpretation, and its validity or applicability beyond the quantum level remains a subject of debate and speculation.