Geometric phase phenomena in single neutrons have been observed in polarimeter and interferometer experiments. Interacting with static and time dependent magnetic fields, the state vectors acquire a geometric phase tied to the evolution within spin subspace. In a polarimeter experiment the non-additivity of quantum phases for mixed spin input states is observed. In a Si perfect-crystal interferometer experiment appearance of geometric phases, induced by interaction with an oscillating magnetic field, is verified. The total system is characterized by an entangled state, consisting of neutron and radiation fields, governed by a Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian. In addition, the influence of the geometric phase on a Bell measurement, expressed by the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality, is studied. It is demonstrated that the effect of geometric phase can be balanced by an appropriate change of Bell angles.Geometric phase phenomena in single neutrons have been observed in polarimeter and interferometer experiments. Interacting with static and time dependent magnetic fields, the state vectors acquire a geometric phase tied to the evolution within spin subspace. In a polarimeter experiment the non-additivity of quantum phases for mixed spin input states is observed. In a Si perfect-crystal interferometer experiment appearance of geometric phases, induced by interaction with an oscillating magnetic field, is verified. The total system is characterized by an entangled state, consisting of neutron and radiation fields, governed by a Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian. In addition, the influence of the geometric phase on a Bell measurement, expressed by the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality, is studied. It is demonstrated that the effect of geometric phase can be balanced by an appropriate change of Bell angles.

Sep 3, 20102 citations

Geometric phase in entangled systems: A single-neutron interferometer experiment

Stephan Sponar, Jürgen Klepp, Rudolf Loidl +6 more

The influence of the geometric phase on a Bell measurement, as proposed by Bertlmann et al. [Phys. Rev. A 69, 032112 (2004)] and expressed by the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality, has been observed for a spin-path-entangled neutron state in an interferometric setup. It is experimentally demonstrated that the effect of geometric phase can be balanced by a change in Bell angles. The geometric phase is acquired during a time-dependent interaction with a radiofrequency field. Two schemes, polar and azimuthal adjustment of the Bell angles, are realized and analyzed in detail. The former scheme yields a sinusoidal oscillation of the correlation function $S$ , dependent on the geometric phase, such that it varies in the range between $2$ and $2\sqrt{2}$ and therefore always exceeds the boundary value $2$ between quantum mechanic and noncontextual theories. The latter scheme results in a constant, maximal violation of the Bell-like CHSH inequality, where $S$ remains $2\sqrt{2}$ for all settings of the geometric phase.The influence of the geometric phase on a Bell measurement, as proposed by Bertlmann et al. [Phys. Rev. A 69, 032112 (2004)] and expressed by the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality, has been observed for a spin-path-entangled neutron state in an interferometric setup. It is experimentally demonstrated that the effect of geometric phase can be balanced by a change in Bell angles. The geometric phase is acquired during a time-dependent interaction with a radiofrequency field. Two schemes, polar and azimuthal adjustment of the Bell angles, are realized and analyzed in detail. The former scheme yields a sinusoidal oscillation of the correlation function $S$, dependent on the geometric phase, such that it varies in the range between $2$ and $2\sqrt{2}$ and therefore always exceeds the boundary value $2$ between quantum mechanic and noncontextual theories. The latter scheme results in a constant, maximal violation of the Bell-like CHSH inequality, where $S$ remains $2\sqrt{2}$ for all settings of the geometric phase.

arXiv:0907.4909Physical Review AApr 30, 201025 citations

Observation of geometric and dynamical phases by neutron interferometry

Brendan E. Allman, Helmut Kaiser, S. A. Werner +3 more

The total phase acquired during an evolution of a quantal system has two components: the usual dynamical phase, $\ensuremath{-}1/\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\int}H(t)dt,$ given by the integrated expectation value of the Hamiltonian, and a geometric phase ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{G}(C)$ which depends only on the geometry of the curve traced in ray space. We have performed an interference experiment using polarized neutrons which clearly demarcates the separate contributions of the dynamical and geometric phases to the total. In the experiment, the two phases arise from two distinct physical operations, a translation and a rotation of a spin flipper within the interferometer, respectively. This work also constitutes the first direct observation of the Pauli anticommutation; a purely geometric phase shift of \ensuremath{\pi} radians appears after a reversal of the current in one of the spin flippers. The experiment was carried out at the 10 MW University of Missouri Research Reactor using a skew-symmetric perfect-silicon-crystal neutron interferometer. A detailed description of the experiment and its interpretation is given in this paper.The total phase acquired during an evolution of a quantal system has two components: the usual dynamical phase, $\ensuremath{-}1/\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\int}H(t)dt,$ given by the integrated expectation value of the Hamiltonian, and a geometric phase ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{G}(C)$ which depends only on the geometry of the curve traced in ray space. We have performed an interference experiment using polarized neutrons which clearly demarcates the separate contributions of the dynamical and geometric phases to the total. In the experiment, the two phases arise from two distinct physical operations, a translation and a rotation of a spin flipper within the interferometer, respectively. This work also constitutes the first direct observation of the Pauli anticommutation; a purely geometric phase shift of \ensuremath{\pi} radians appears after a reversal of the current in one of the spin flippers. The experiment was carried out at the 10 MW University of Missouri Research Reactor using a skew-symmetric perfect-silicon-crystal neutron interferometer. A detailed description of the experiment and its interpretation is given in this paper.

Physical Review ADec 1, 199744 citations

Triple Entanglement in Neutron Interferometric and Polarimetric Experiments

Stephan Sponar, Jürgen Klepp, Rudolf Loidl +5 more

Entanglement is a remarkable peculiarity in quantum mechanics. It occurs in quantum systems that consist of space-like separated parts, or in systems whose observables belong to disjoint Hilbert spaces. The latter is the case in single-neutron systems. Entangled states are renowned for exhibiting non-classical correlations between observables of individual sub-systems. In a perfect Si-crystal interferometer experiment entanglement between three degrees of freedom in a single-neutron system is created. The prepared entanglement of spin, path and energy is induced by interaction with an oscillating magnetic field. The generated Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state is analyzed with an inequality derived by Mermin, yielding a value M = 2.558(4) 2, which exhibits a clear violation of the classical assumption. In addition observation of a GHZ entanglement, consisting of spin, momentum and total energy, in a neutron polarimetric experiment is presented. Here the advantages of neutron polarimetry, such as high contrast or insensitivity to ambient disturbances, are utilized resulting in final value of M = 3.936(2) 2.Entanglement is a remarkable peculiarity in quantum mechanics. It occurs in quantum systems that consist of space-like separated parts, or in systems whose observables belong to disjoint Hilbert spaces. The latter is the case in single-neutron systems. Entangled states are renowned for exhibiting non-classical correlations between observables of individual sub-systems. In a perfect Si-crystal interferometer experiment entanglement between three degrees of freedom in a single-neutron system is created. The prepared entanglement of spin, path and energy is induced by interaction with an oscillating magnetic field. The generated Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state is analyzed with an inequality derived by Mermin, yielding a value M = 2.558(4) 2, which exhibits a clear violation of the classical assumption. In addition observation of a GHZ entanglement, consisting of spin, momentum and total energy, in a neutron polarimetric experiment is presented. Here the advantages of neutron polarimetry, such as high contrast or insensitivity to ambient disturbances, are utilized resulting in final value of M = 3.936(2) 2.

Journal of Physics Conference SeriesFeb 8, 20121 citation

Observation of off-diagonal geometric phases in polarized-neutron-interferometer experiments

Yuji Hasegawa, Rudolf Loidl, G. Badurek +4 more

Off-diagonal geometric phases acquired in the evolution of a spin-1/2 system have been investigated by means of a polarized neutron interferometer. Final counts with and without polarization analysis enable us to observe simultaneously the off-diagonal and diagonal geometric phases in two detectors. We have quantitatively measured the off-diagonal geometric phase for noncyclic evolutions, confirming the theoretical predictions. We discuss the significance of our experiment in terms of geometric phases (both diagonal and off- diagonal) and in terms of the quantum-erasing phenomenon.Off-diagonal geometric phases acquired in the evolution of a spin-1/2 system have been investigated by means of a polarized neutron interferometer. Final counts with and without polarization analysis enable us to observe simultaneously the off-diagonal and diagonal geometric phases in two detectors. We have quantitatively measured the off-diagonal geometric phase for noncyclic evolutions, confirming the theoretical predictions. We discuss the significance of our experiment in terms of geometric phases (both diagonal and off- diagonal) and in terms of the quantum-erasing phenomenon.

arXiv:quant-ph/0201054Physical Review AApr 24, 200237 citations

Geometric phase in neutron interferometer experiments

Yuji Hasegawa

Neutron interferometer experiments have served as elegant demonstrations of the foundations of quantum mechanics. We show here two interferometer-experiments: one is the demonstration of a geometric phase in a split-beam experiment and the other is the measurement of off-diagonal geometric phase acquired in an evolution of a 1/2-spin system. The former was accomplished with the use of a two-loop neutron interferometer, where a reference beam can be added to the beam from one interference ioop. The combination of phase shifters and partial absorbers permitted the compensation of the dynamical phase and measurement of the geometric phase. The latter is investigated by means of a polarized neutron interferometer. Final counts with and without the polarization analysis enabled us to observe both the off-diagonal and diagonal geometric phases in two detectors. All experimental results show complete agreement with theoretical treatments.Neutron interferometer experiments have served as elegant demonstrations of the foundations of quantum mechanics. We show here two interferometer-experiments: one is the demonstration of a geometric phase in a split-beam experiment and the other is the measurement of off-diagonal geometric phase acquired in an evolution of a 1/2-spin system. The former was accomplished with the use of a two-loop neutron interferometer, where a reference beam can be added to the beam from one interference ioop. The combination of phase shifters and partial absorbers permitted the compensation of the dynamical phase and measurement of the geometric phase. The latter is investigated by means of a polarized neutron interferometer. Final counts with and without the polarization analysis enabled us to observe both the off-diagonal and diagonal geometric phases in two detectors. All experimental results show complete agreement with theoretical treatments.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIEJul 23, 20020 citations

S

, dependent on the geometric phase, such that it varies in the range between

2

and

2\sqrt{2}

and therefore always exceeds the boundary value

2

between quantum mechanic and noncontextual theories. The latter scheme results in a constant, maximal violation of the Bell-like CHSH inequality, where

S

remains

2\sqrt{2}

for all settings of the geometric phase.