Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Annalen der Physik

Neutron Interference: Influence of the Mirror on the Spin

Jürgen Audretsch, Cláus Lämmerzahl

Published Jan 1, 1987• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract Advanced neutron interferometry includes the spinor properties of the neutrons. This makes it necessary to consider the influence of the mirrors on the spinor propagation. It is shown how the effect of an arbitrary mirror can be uniquely decomposed into a known kinematical part which is necessarily present, and a dynamical part which goes back to an interaction the neutron experiences in its rest‐space. For any particular realization of a mirror this dynamical part can be determined experimentally. An argument is given as to why it vanishes for the usual perfect‐crystal interferometer. The first relativistic approximations of the spinor reflection formula are discussed.

DOI
10.1002/andp.19874990211

Related papers

Neutron interference: general theory of the influence of gravity, inertia and space-time torsion

Jürgen Audretsch, Cláus Lämmerzahl

The general theory of the influence of gravity, inertia (i.e. interferometer motion) and space-time torsion on the outcome of neutron interference experiments is presented. The exact results are obtained in a general relativistic treatment based on the description of a stationary working interferometer in Riemann-Cartan space-time and on the WKB approximation for the neutron waves. Particular attention is paid to the influence on the spinor amplitude. There are two types of resulting amplitude effects; one originates in the non-integrability of the spinor connection and represents the influence of a modified Riemann-Cartan curvature; the other is caused by the influence of the interferometer rotation and acceleration and of space-time torsion during the time interval between the emission of the two coherent neutron waves. For practical purposes small effects are treated in an approximation. Two examples of a global evaluation of the expressions are given. Applications including a gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect are discussed.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Aug 1, 1983•39 citations

Neutron Interference: General Theory of the Influence of Gravity Inertia and Space-Time Torsion

Jürgen Audretsch, Cláus Lämmerzahl

The general theory of the influence of gravity, inertia (i.e. interferometer motion) and space-time torsion on the outcome of neutron interference experiments is presented. The exact results are obtained in a general relativistic treatment based on the description of a stationary working interferometer in Riemann-Cartan space-time and on the WKB approximation for the neutron waves. Particular attention is paid to the influence on the spinor amplitude. There are two types of resulting amplitude effects; one originates in the non-integrability of the spinor connection and represents the influence of a modified Riemann-Cartan curvature; the other is caused by the influence of the interferometer rotation and acceleration and of space-time torsion during the time interval between the emission of the two coherent neutron waves. For practical purposes small effects are treated in an approximation. Two examples of a global evaluation of the expressions are given. Applications including a gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect are discussed.

•Jul 1, 1983•0 citations

A Possible Way to Detect the Interference Between the Neutron Spinor Components

M.L. Yan

The interference effect between the neutron spinor components is investigated. It is shown that the diffusion of the neutron wave-packet under an unhomogeneous magnetic field is related to the phase shift angle between the two spinor components. We propose that this effect could be used to detect the phase-shift of a coherent neutron beam having passed through some medium. In the interference experiment based upon this principle one will not need to use Bragg reflection from crystal planes for splitting and recombining the beam, and the dimension of the phase shift region will be much longer than that of the usual Bonse-Kart type neutron interferometer.

Communications in Theoretical Physics•Jul 1, 1983•0 citations

Neutron Interferometry

Helmut Rauch, Samuel A. Werner

Abstract The quantum interference of DeBroglie matter waves is probably one of the most startling and fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. It continues to tax our imaginations and leads us to new experimental windows on nature. Quantum interference phenomena are vividly displayed in the wide assembly of neutron interferometry experiments, which have been carried out since the first demonstration of a perfect silicon crystal interferometer in 1974. Since the neutron experiences all four fundamental forces of nature (strong, weak, electromagnetic, and gravitational), interferometry with neutrons provides a fertile testing ground for theory and precision measurements. Many Gedanken experiments of quantum mechanics have become real due to neutron interferometry. This book provides the reader with a detailed account of neutron interferometry experiments. The basic ideas and experiments related to coherence properties of matter waves and various post-selection criteria, gravitationally induced phase shifts, Berry's geometrical phase, spinor symmetry and spin superposition, Aharonov-Bohm topological interference effects, and the neutron version of the Sagnac effect are presented in a self-contained and pedagogical way. Interferometry with perfect crystals, artificial lattices, and spin-echo systems are topics of this book. It includes the theoretical motivations as well as connections to other areas of experimental physics, such as quantum optics, nuclear physics, gravitation, and atom interferometry. The book is written in a style that will be suitable at the beginning graduate level, and will excite many students and researchers in neutron physics, quantum optics, and atomic physics. Lecturers teaching courses in modern physics and quantum mechanics will find a number of interesting and historic experiments they may want to include in their lectures.

•Aug 10, 2000•315 citations

Neutron interferometric tests of quantum mechanics

H. Rauch

Since the invention of perfect crystal neutron interferometry this technique has become an important tool in the realization of many textbook experiments in quantum mechanics. Widely separated coherent beams of thermal neutrons are produced and superposed by dynamical Bragg diffraction from a properly shaped perfect crystal. The observed interference patterns show the characteristic coherence properties of matter waves which arc influenced by the individual particle and by the properties of the experimental device. The verification of the 4π-periodicity of spinor wavefunctions and the realization of thc spin-superposition experiment on B macroscopic scale has become feasible by this technique. A new kind of a quantum beat effect with an energy sensitivity of 2.7 × 20−-19 eV has been observed in a double coil resonance experiment. The influence of gravity and of the Earth's rotation on the wavefunction become visible at a level of an elementary particle with non-zero mass. All the results are in agreement with the formulation of quantum mechanics but, nevertheless, they stimulate discussion about its interpretation. The particle-wave dualism becomes obvious on a macroscopic scale and with a beam of massive particles.

Contemporary Physics•Jul 1, 1986•28 citations

Dynamical diffraction effects in noninertial neutron interferometry

U. Bonse, Thomas Wroblewski

Neutron interferometry performed in a noninertial frame is essentially influenced by dynamical diffraction effects occurring in the interferometer crystal which hitherto have not been taken into account. We have developed a corresponding theory from which a corrected phase shift is obtained which applies likewise to interferometry performed under the influence of gravity or on an accelerated neutron interferometer. The theory also predicts fading of interference contrast with increasing acceleration as was observed in the Colella-Overhauser-Werner gravity experiments but could not be explained unambiguously.

Physical review. D. Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology/Physical review. D. Particles and fields•Sep 15, 1984•41 citations
Abstract Advanced neutron interferometry includes the spinor properties of the neutrons. This makes it necessary to consider the influence of the mirrors on the spinor propagation. It is shown how the effect of an arbitrary mirror can be uniquely decomposed into a known kinematical part which is necessarily present, and a dynamical part which goes back to an interaction the neutron experiences in its rest‐space. For any particular realization of a mirror this dynamical part can be determined experimentally. An argument is given as to why it vanishes for the usual perfect‐crystal interferometer. The first relativistic approximations of the spinor reflection formula are discussed.
The general theory of the influence of gravity, inertia (i.e. interferometer motion) and space-time torsion on the outcome of neutron interference experiments is presented. The exact results are obtained in a general relativistic treatment based on the description of a stationary working interferometer in Riemann-Cartan space-time and on the WKB approximation for the neutron waves. Particular attention is paid to the influence on the spinor amplitude. There are two types of resulting amplitude effects; one originates in the non-integrability of the spinor connection and represents the influence of a modified Riemann-Cartan curvature; the other is caused by the influence of the interferometer rotation and acceleration and of space-time torsion during the time interval between the emission of the two coherent neutron waves. For practical purposes small effects are treated in an approximation. Two examples of a global evaluation of the expressions are given. Applications including a gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect are discussed.
The general theory of the influence of gravity, inertia (i.e. interferometer motion) and space-time torsion on the outcome of neutron interference experiments is presented. The exact results are obtained in a general relativistic treatment based on the description of a stationary working interferometer in Riemann-Cartan space-time and on the WKB approximation for the neutron waves. Particular attention is paid to the influence on the spinor amplitude. There are two types of resulting amplitude effects; one originates in the non-integrability of the spinor connection and represents the influence of a modified Riemann-Cartan curvature; the other is caused by the influence of the interferometer rotation and acceleration and of space-time torsion during the time interval between the emission of the two coherent neutron waves. For practical purposes small effects are treated in an approximation. Two examples of a global evaluation of the expressions are given. Applications including a gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect are discussed.
The interference effect between the neutron spinor components is investigated. It is shown that the diffusion of the neutron wave-packet under an unhomogeneous magnetic field is related to the phase shift angle between the two spinor components. We propose that this effect could be used to detect the phase-shift of a coherent neutron beam having passed through some medium. In the interference experiment based upon this principle one will not need to use Bragg reflection from crystal planes for splitting and recombining the beam, and the dimension of the phase shift region will be much longer than that of the usual Bonse-Kart type neutron interferometer.
Abstract The quantum interference of DeBroglie matter waves is probably one of the most startling and fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. It continues to tax our imaginations and leads us to new experimental windows on nature. Quantum interference phenomena are vividly displayed in the wide assembly of neutron interferometry experiments, which have been carried out since the first demonstration of a perfect silicon crystal interferometer in 1974. Since the neutron experiences all four fundamental forces of nature (strong, weak, electromagnetic, and gravitational), interferometry with neutrons provides a fertile testing ground for theory and precision measurements. Many Gedanken experiments of quantum mechanics have become real due to neutron interferometry. This book provides the reader with a detailed account of neutron interferometry experiments. The basic ideas and experiments related to coherence properties of matter waves and various post-selection criteria, gravitationally induced phase shifts, Berry's geometrical phase, spinor symmetry and spin superposition, Aharonov-Bohm topological interference effects, and the neutron version of the Sagnac effect are presented in a self-contained and pedagogical way. Interferometry with perfect crystals, artificial lattices, and spin-echo systems are topics of this book. It includes the theoretical motivations as well as connections to other areas of experimental physics, such as quantum optics, nuclear physics, gravitation, and atom interferometry. The book is written in a style that will be suitable at the beginning graduate level, and will excite many students and researchers in neutron physics, quantum optics, and atomic physics. Lecturers teaching courses in modern physics and quantum mechanics will find a number of interesting and historic experiments they may want to include in their lectures.
Since the invention of perfect crystal neutron interferometry this technique has become an important tool in the realization of many textbook experiments in quantum mechanics. Widely separated coherent beams of thermal neutrons are produced and superposed by dynamical Bragg diffraction from a properly shaped perfect crystal. The observed interference patterns show the characteristic coherence properties of matter waves which arc influenced by the individual particle and by the properties of the experimental device. The verification of the 4π-periodicity of spinor wavefunctions and the realization of thc spin-superposition experiment on B macroscopic scale has become feasible by this technique. A new kind of a quantum beat effect with an energy sensitivity of 2.7 × 20−-19 eV has been observed in a double coil resonance experiment. The influence of gravity and of the Earth's rotation on the wavefunction become visible at a level of an elementary particle with non-zero mass. All the results are in agreement with the formulation of quantum mechanics but, nevertheless, they stimulate discussion about its interpretation. The particle-wave dualism becomes obvious on a macroscopic scale and with a beam of massive particles.
Neutron interferometry performed in a noninertial frame is essentially influenced by dynamical diffraction effects occurring in the interferometer crystal which hitherto have not been taken into account. We have developed a corresponding theory from which a corrected phase shift is obtained which applies likewise to interferometry performed under the influence of gravity or on an accelerated neutron interferometer. The theory also predicts fading of interference contrast with increasing acceleration as was observed in the Colella-Overhauser-Werner gravity experiments but could not be explained unambiguously.