The question you pose touches upon the philosophical and interpretational aspects of quantum mechanics, specifically related to consciousness and the collapse of the wave function. It's important to note that there are various interpretations of quantum mechanics, and different interpretations offer different perspectives on these questions. I'll provide you with an overview of some viewpoints, but it's essential to understand that these are still topics of debate and philosophical speculation.
Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI): According to MWI, the collapse of the wave function does not occur. Instead, when an observation is made, the observer and the measured system become entangled, and the universe splits into multiple branches, each representing a different outcome. In this interpretation, there is no unique "consciousness" of the collapsed photon because all possible outcomes exist in different branches of reality.
Copenhagen Interpretation: The Copenhagen Interpretation, developed by Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg, suggests that the collapse of the wave function happens upon observation. According to this view, it is not meaningful to assign consciousness to particles themselves. Consciousness is generally considered an attribute of conscious observers rather than fundamental particles or systems.
Consciousness and Quantum Mechanics: Some theories propose a connection between consciousness and quantum mechanics, suggesting that consciousness may have a role in the collapse of the wave function. These ideas are more speculative and fall outside the mainstream scientific consensus. The relationship between consciousness and quantum mechanics is a topic of ongoing debate and exploration, and there is no widely accepted scientific theory that conclusively establishes such a connection.
It's important to recognize that the nature of consciousness itself is a complex and multi-faceted topic that extends beyond the scope of quantum mechanics. While quantum phenomena may influence the behavior of microscopic particles, understanding the relationship between consciousness and quantum mechanics requires further investigation and exploration.
In summary, the question of what becomes of the consciousness of a collapsed photon is speculative and depends on the interpretation one adopts. Different interpretations offer different perspectives on the nature of reality, the collapse of the wave function, and the role of consciousness. These questions remain open for philosophical debate and scientific exploration.