This paper proposes groovelike potential structures for the observation of
quantum information processing by trapped particles. As an illustration the
effect of quantum statistics at a 50-50 beam splitter is investigated. For
noninteracting particles we regain the results known from photon experimen
ts, but we have found that particle interactions destroy the perfect bosoni
c correlations. Fermions avoid each other due to the exclusion principle an
d hence they are far less sensitive to particle interactions. For bosons, t
he behavior can be explained with simple analytic considerations which pred
ict a certain amount of universality. This is verified by detailed numerica
l calculations. [S1050-2937(99)03205-9].