Same phase, opposite phase, and a blocked arm are three different checked routing ledgers. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

Same phase routes all eight counts bright

The first split is 4 upper plus 4 lower. Same phase recombines to 8 bright and 0 dark.

4+4=8,B=8, D=04+4=8,\quad B=8,\ D=0
Interferometer routing scan rowThe first split and output ports are checked.1/2upper1/2lower1bright0dark0lostphase

Opposite phase routes all eight counts dark

The input and first split remain 8 to 4 plus 4, but opposite phase sends 8 counts dark.

4+4=8,B=0, D=84+4=8,\quad B=0,\ D=8
Interferometer routing scan rowOnly the phase mode changes the output port.1/2upper1/2lower0bright1dark0lostphase

A blocked arm turns interference into a loss ledger

Blocking the lower arm loses 4 counts. The surviving 4 counts split into 2 bright and 2 dark.

2+2+4=82+2+4=8
Interferometer routing scan rowBlocked-path counts close without claiming interference.1/2upper1/2lower1/4bright1/4dark1/2lostphase