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4π-symmetry of the neutron wave function under space rotation

A. Ioffe, F. Mezei

Physica B Condensed MatterMar 1, 20015 citations

Observation of 4π-symmetry of the neutron wave function under space rotation

F. Mezei, A. Ioffe, Peter Fischer +2 more

Physica B Condensed MatterMar 1, 20001 citation

Precise determination of the 4?-periodicity factor of a spinor wave function

H. Rauch, A. Wilfing, W. Bauspiess +1 more

The European Physical Journal BSep 1, 197845 citations

Must be the wave function single-valued? Ring vs. periodic boundary conditions, spinors and double rotations

Josep Planelles

This is a lecture notes for undergraduate students. We try to tackle the single valuedness of spatial and double valuedness of spin functions. Also, we adress the need of spinors to accommodate spin functions with some parallelism to the need of axial vectors (or antisymmetric traceless tensors) to accommodate angular momentum. Finally, we revisit the Dirac and Weyl tricks on the non-equivalence of a 2 pi and a 4 pi rotation related the topology of rotation and unitary groups.

Jan 5, 20220 citations

Interference with coupled microcavities: Optical analog of spin 2π rotations

Omar Di Stefano, Roberto Stassi, A. Ridolfo +2 more

It is well known that spinor wave functions change their sign under $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ rotation. Several experiments have used magnetic precession of neutrons to implement rotations. Here we propose an all-optical analog of this effect based on time-resolved optical interference in coupled optical microcavities. We show that feeding the coupled-microcavity system with a pair of phase-locked probe pulses, separated by precise delay times, provides direct information on the sign change of the transmitted field after one complete Rabi-like oscillation period.It is well known that spinor wave functions change their sign under $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ rotation. Several experiments have used magnetic precession of neutrons to implement rotations. Here we propose an all-optical analog of this effect based on time-resolved optical interference in coupled optical microcavities. We show that feeding the coupled-microcavity system with a pair of phase-locked probe pulses, separated by precise delay times, provides direct information on the sign change of the transmitted field after one complete Rabi-like oscillation period.

Physical Review BAug 29, 20115 citations

Test of quantum mechanics by neutron interferometers

H. Rauch

Since its advent in 1974, the neutron interferometry technique is a powerful tool for tests of quantum mechanics by matter waves. High order interference pattern could be observed and an upper limit for nonlinear terms in the Schroedinger equation has been given. The 4..pi..-symmetry of a spinor wave function was verified in 1975. Afterwards a precision measurement of this 4..pi..-symmetry effect has been performed which yields, after corrections for the new values of the fundamental constants, a periodicity factor of ..cap alpha.. = 715.87 +- 3.8 deg which does not include the expected 720 deg within its simple error limits. Alternative formulations of quantum mechanics predict a deviation of the 4..pi..-periodicity factor in the region of strong interaction. Therefore, a precision measurement of the influence of strong interactions is proposed where the spinor rotation is observed within the region of additional strong interactions caused by a nonmagnetic material of heavy nuclei inserted alternatively into the beam paths of the interferometer. It is expected to reach an accuracy concerning the additional phase shift in the range of 10/sup -5/ which corresponds to deviation factors within the region of strong interactions of about 20% from the standard formulation. Various factors limiting themore » accuracy are discussed.« lessSince its advent in 1974, the neutron interferometry technique is a powerful tool for tests of quantum mechanics by matter waves. High order interference pattern could be observed and an upper limit for nonlinear terms in the Schroedinger equation has been given. The 4..pi..-symmetry of a spinor wave function was verified in 1975. Afterwards a precision measurement of this 4..pi..-symmetry effect has been performed which yields, after corrections for the new values of the fundamental constants, a periodicity factor of ..cap alpha.. = 715.87 +- 3.8 deg which does not include the expected 720 deg within its simple error limits. Alternative formulations of quantum mechanics predict a deviation of the 4..pi..-periodicity factor in the region of strong interaction. Therefore, a precision measurement of the influence of strong interactions is proposed where the spinor rotation is observed within the region of additional strong interactions caused by a nonmagnetic material of heavy nuclei inserted alternatively into the beam paths of the interferometer. It is expected to reach an accuracy concerning the additional phase shift in the range of 10/sup -5/ which corresponds to deviation factors within the region of strong interactions of about 20% from the standard formulation. Various factors limiting themore » accuracy are discussed.« less

Hadronic J.; (United States)Apr 1, 19822 citations

4π-Periodicity of the spinor wave function under space rotation

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