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

Physical Review Letters

Nonlocal phase shifts induced by static electric fields in neutron interferometers when the path-enclosed charge vanishes

Russell C. Casella

Published Oct 29, 1990• 44 citations
Publisher

Abstract

An experiment, analogous to that of Cimmino et al., is proposed to measure the phase shift induced by static electric fields on the passage of neutrons through an interferometer when the path-enclosed linear charge density is zero. A finite shift is predicted and discussed in light of the Aharonov-Casher result.
DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.65.2217

Related papers

Neutron interferometric measurement of the topological Aharonov-Casher phase shift

Helmut Kaiser, S. A. Werner, R. Clothier +4 more

We have measured the phase shift predicted by Aharonov and Casher (AC) for a magnetic dipole diffracting around a charged electrode for the case of thermal neutrons, using a neutron interferometer containing a 30‐kV/mm vacuum electrode system. Tilting the interferometer about the incident beam direction introduces a spin‐independent gravitationally‐induced phase shift which enables unpolarized neutrons to be used. A supplementary magnetic bias field of the correct magnitude allows first‐order sensitivity to the AC phase shift to be achieved. Nevertheless, the theoretically predicted phase shift is only 1.52 mrad for the geometry and conditions of the experiment. We observe a phase shift of 2.11±0.34 mrad. A detailed description of the experiment and its interpretation is given in this paper.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 1991•3 citations

Observation of the topological Aharonov-Casher phase shift by neutron interferometry

Alberto Cimmino, G. I. Opat, Andrew G. Klein +4 more

The phase shift predicted by Aharonov and Casher for a magnetic dipole diffracting around a charged electrode has been observed for the case of thermal neutrons, using a neutron interferometer containing a 30-kV/mm vacuum electrode system. The judicious use of the Earth's gravitational field introduces a spin-independent phase shift which enables unpolarized neutrons to be used. A supplementary magnetic bias field of the correct magnitude allows first-order sensitivity to be achieved; even so, the theoretically predicted phase shift is only 1.50 mrad for the geometry and conditions of the experiment. We observe a phase shift of 2.19\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.52 mrad.

Physical Review Letters•Jul 24, 1989•329 citations

Is There an Aharonov-Bohm Effect for Neutrons?

Daniel M. Greenberger, D. K. Atwood, John Arthur +2 more

A neutron interferometer experiment testing the existence of an Aharonov-Bohm effect has been performed and no measurable phase shift has been found upon reversal of the enclosed magnetic flux. A positive result would have provided evidence for a breakdown in the standard minimal-coupling scheme for the electromagnetic interaction of a neutron. The sensitivity of the experiment sets the ratio of the Aharonov-Bohm effect for a neutron to that of a particle of charge $e$ to be less than 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$.

Physical Review Letters•Sep 14, 1981•26 citations

Gravitational, rotational and topological quantum phase shifts in neutron interferometry

Samuel A. Werner

Experiments involving quantum interference of neutron de Broglie waves, having a wavelength A , extending over macroscopic distances of order are described. In particular I discuss interference induced by the Earth's gravitational field and by its rotation (Sagnac effect), the topological phase shifts resulting from the diffraction of the neutron, carrying its magnetic moment , around a charged electrode (Aharonov--Casher effect) and then finally during its passage through a pulsed magnetic field (scalar Aharonov--Bohm effect).

Classical and Quantum Gravity•Jun 1, 1994•53 citations

Observation of Aharonov–Bohm effects by neutron interferometry

Samuel A. Werner, Anthony G. Klein

The special and unique techniques of neutron interferometry have been used to observe a number of topological effects. These include the quantum mechanical phase shift of a neutron due to the Earth's rotation (the quantum analog of the Michelson–Gale–Pearson experiment with light), the phase shift of a particle carrying a magnetic moment (a neutron) encircling a line charge (the Aharonov–Casher effect) and the scalar Aharonov–Bohm effect, observed with a pulsed magnetic field solenoid and time-of-flight neutron detection. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Aharonov–Bohm paper, we provide an overview of the neutron interferometry technique and a description of these three historic experiments.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•Aug 12, 2010•16 citations

Topological and Geometric Phases

Helmut Rauch, Samuel A. Werner

The usual vector Aharonov–Bohm effect involves the quantum interference of electrons encircling a solenoid due to the magnetic vector potential. The analogous Aharonov–Casher effect was predicted for the neutron, which carries a magnetic dipole moment, encircling a line of electric charge . It was first observed by neutron interferometry, as described in this chapter. An analogous effect using neutrons and a pulsed magnetic solenoid in one leg of the interferometer has also been observed. This experiment using both polarized and unpolarized neutrons is described in this chapter. It is the first observation of the scalar Aharonov-Bohm effect. The idea of geometric phases was later shown to be pervasive in physics. These ideas were brought to full fruition in a neutron interferometry experiment in the late 1990s. The connections of this experiment with the helical field experiment of Bitter and Dubbers and the absorption experiment of Hasegawa are also discussed. The confinement-induced phase when neutrons move between narrow plates is another example of a non-local interaction of neutrons.

Oxford University Press eBooks•Jan 15, 2015•0 citations
We have measured the phase shift predicted by Aharonov and Casher (AC) for a magnetic dipole diffracting around a charged electrode for the case of thermal neutrons, using a neutron interferometer containing a 30‐kV/mm vacuum electrode system. Tilting the interferometer about the incident beam direction introduces a spin‐independent gravitationally‐induced phase shift which enables unpolarized neutrons to be used. A supplementary magnetic bias field of the correct magnitude allows first‐order sensitivity to the AC phase shift to be achieved. Nevertheless, the theoretically predicted phase shift is only 1.52 mrad for the geometry and conditions of the experiment. We observe a phase shift of 2.11±0.34 mrad. A detailed description of the experiment and its interpretation is given in this paper.
The phase shift predicted by Aharonov and Casher for a magnetic dipole diffracting around a charged electrode has been observed for the case of thermal neutrons, using a neutron interferometer containing a 30-kV/mm vacuum electrode system. The judicious use of the Earth's gravitational field introduces a spin-independent phase shift which enables unpolarized neutrons to be used. A supplementary magnetic bias field of the correct magnitude allows first-order sensitivity to be achieved; even so, the theoretically predicted phase shift is only 1.50 mrad for the geometry and conditions of the experiment. We observe a phase shift of 2.19\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.52 mrad.
A neutron interferometer experiment testing the existence of an Aharonov-Bohm effect has been performed and no measurable phase shift has been found upon reversal of the enclosed magnetic flux. A positive result would have provided evidence for a breakdown in the standard minimal-coupling scheme for the electromagnetic interaction of a neutron. The sensitivity of the experiment sets the ratio of the Aharonov-Bohm effect for a neutron to that of a particle of charge eee to be less than 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$.
Experiments involving quantum interference of neutron de Broglie waves, having a wavelength A , extending over macroscopic distances of order are described. In particular I discuss interference induced by the Earth's gravitational field and by its rotation (Sagnac effect), the topological phase shifts resulting from the diffraction of the neutron, carrying its magnetic moment , around a charged electrode (Aharonov--Casher effect) and then finally during its passage through a pulsed magnetic field (scalar Aharonov--Bohm effect).
The special and unique techniques of neutron interferometry have been used to observe a number of topological effects. These include the quantum mechanical phase shift of a neutron due to the Earth's rotation (the quantum analog of the Michelson–Gale–Pearson experiment with light), the phase shift of a particle carrying a magnetic moment (a neutron) encircling a line charge (the Aharonov–Casher effect) and the scalar Aharonov–Bohm effect, observed with a pulsed magnetic field solenoid and time-of-flight neutron detection. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Aharonov–Bohm paper, we provide an overview of the neutron interferometry technique and a description of these three historic experiments.
The usual vector Aharonov–Bohm effect involves the quantum interference of electrons encircling a solenoid due to the magnetic vector potential. The analogous Aharonov–Casher effect was predicted for the neutron, which carries a magnetic dipole moment, encircling a line of electric charge . It was first observed by neutron interferometry, as described in this chapter. An analogous effect using neutrons and a pulsed magnetic solenoid in one leg of the interferometer has also been observed. This experiment using both polarized and unpolarized neutrons is described in this chapter. It is the first observation of the scalar Aharonov-Bohm effect. The idea of geometric phases was later shown to be pervasive in physics. These ideas were brought to full fruition in a neutron interferometry experiment in the late 1990s. The connections of this experiment with the helical field experiment of Bitter and Dubbers and the absorption experiment of Hasegawa are also discussed. The confinement-induced phase when neutrons move between narrow plates is another example of a non-local interaction of neutrons.