There are various quantum experiments and investigations that explore the fundamental nature of reality and test the principles of quantum mechanics. While it's not accurate to say these experiments aim to "prove or disprove" the existence of reality (as reality is an accepted concept), they do aim to study and understand the underlying mechanisms and behavior of quantum systems. Here are a few notable experiments in this area:
Bell's Theorem and Bell Tests: Bell's theorem and subsequent experiments, known as Bell tests, examine the phenomenon of quantum entanglement and test whether quantum systems can be explained by local hidden variables. These experiments seek to determine whether the correlations observed between entangled particles can be explained by classical theories or if they require non-local interactions, suggesting the existence of non-local or "spooky" action at a distance.
Delayed-Choice Quantum Eraser: The delayed-choice quantum eraser experiment investigates the wave-particle duality of photons and the role of observation in quantum systems. It demonstrates that the observed behavior of a particle can be influenced retroactively, depending on whether the experimenter chooses to measure certain properties of associated particles after they have already been detected.
Quantum Interference and Superposition: Experiments involving interference and superposition demonstrate the wave-like nature of quantum particles. For example, the double-slit experiment shows the wave-particle duality of particles like electrons or photons. It demonstrates that these particles can exhibit interference patterns, suggesting that they exist in a superposition of states until measured.
Quantum Computing and Quantum Information: Ongoing research in quantum computing and quantum information aims to harness the unique properties of quantum systems for computational and informational tasks. These experiments explore the principles of superposition and entanglement to develop new computing paradigms, cryptography protocols, and communication systems.
Quantum Foundations and Interpretations: Researchers continue to explore different interpretations of quantum mechanics, such as the Copenhagen interpretation, many-worlds interpretation, pilot-wave theory, and more. These interpretations propose different ontological models to explain the behavior of quantum systems, and experiments are conducted to test the predictions and implications of these interpretations.
It's important to note that quantum experiments provide empirical evidence and insights into the behavior of quantum systems, but they do not aim to disprove the existence of reality. Instead, they contribute to our understanding of the underlying principles that govern the behavior of the microscopic world, and they challenge our classical intuitions about how reality functions at that level.