Interactions of neutrons with electromagnetic wave fields

R. Simonovits, H. Mitter

J.-Q. Liang, X. X. Ding

J. Anandan, C. R. Hägen

The question as to whether neutron acceleration can occur in uniform electromagnetic fields is examined. Although such an effect has been predicted using the canonical equations of motion, some doubt has been raised recently as to whether it is in principle observable for a spin-1/2 particle. To resolve this issue a gedanken experiment is proposed and analyzed using wave-packet construction for the neutron beam. By allowing an arbitrary orientation for the neutron spin as well as for the electric and magnetic fields, a nonvanishing acceleration of the center of the neutron wave packet is found that confirms the predictions of the canonical formalism.

Guenter Nimtz, Paul Bruney

Tunnelling and barrier interaction times of neutrons were previously measured. Here we show that the neutron interaction time with barriers corresponds to the universal tunnelling time of wave mechanics which was formerly observed with elastic, electromagnetic and electron waves. The universal tunnelling time seems to hold for neutrons also. Such an adequate general wave mechanical behaviour was conjectured by Brillouin. Remarkably, wave mechanical effects, and even virtual particles, hold from the microcosm to the macrocosm.

Guenter Nimtz, Paul Bruney

Abstract Tunnelling and barrier interaction times of neutrons were previously measured. Here we show that the neutron interaction time with barriers corresponds to the universal tunnelling time of wave mechanics which was formerly observed with elastic, electromagnetic and electron waves. The universal tunnelling time seems to hold for neutrons also. Such an adequate general wave mechanical behaviour was conjectured by Brillouin. Remarkably, wave mechanical effects, and even virtual particles, hold from the microcosm to the macrocosm.

Stanley A. Bruce, M. D. Campos, Joaquín F. Díaz-Valdés