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 A

Coherent multiphoton exchange between a neutron and an oscillating magnetic field

Johann Summhammer

Published Jan 1, 1993• 47 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We calculate a neutron's transition amplitudes to various energy and spin states when it interacts with a magnetic field oscillating in time. Two field configurations are analyzed: the oscillating component normal to the static component when the rotating-wave approximation is inapplicable and the oscillating and static components parallel to each other. The two cases require different mechanisms of angular momentum conservation. Experimental tests are proposed including neutron interferometry and double crystal diffraction, the latter permitting observation of quantized energy transfer from fields oscillating at only a few hundred kilohertz.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.47.556

Related papers

Neutrons in a time-dependent magnetic field: Photon exchange and decoherence modeling

Georg Sulyok, Hartmut Lemmel, H. Rauch

If a quantum mechanical particle passes a spatially finite region of a purely time-dependent potential, coherent emission and absorption of energy take place. Due to Zeeman interaction, this situation can be realized with neutrons crossing an oscillating magnetic field. We solve the corresponding Schr\"odinger equation for fields consisting of an arbitrary number of frequencies and measure the calculated transition amplitudes for the quantized energy transfer by means of time-dependent neutron interferometry. Investigating the interferometer contrast for magnetic signals consisting of a high number of modes whose phases are randomly distributed shows that noise fields and therefore decoherence processes can be modeled in this calculation as well.

Physical Review A•Mar 21, 2012•6 citations

Multiphoton Exchange Amplitudes Observed by Neutron Interferometry

Johann Summhammer, Klaus A. Hamacher, Helmut Kaiser +3 more

Polarized neutron interferometry has been used to measure the amplitudes for the exchange of up to five photons between the neutron and an oscillating magnetic field. The Rabi spin flip configuration and a configuration in which spin flip is suppressed were investigated, because they raise different questions on the conservation of angular momentum. Because of the linearity of the time-dependent interference signal in the exchange amplitudes, photon exchange probabilities below 1% could be resolved.

Physical Review Letters•Oct 30, 1995•56 citations

Neutron interferometric double-resonance experiment

G. Badurek, H. Rauch, D. Tuppinger

In continuation of previous work explicitly demonstrating the basic quantum-mechanical principles of the static and the time-dependent superposition of spinors, a new double-resonance coil experiment is described, where a spin-flip process associated with an exchange of energy quanta happens in both beams of a perfect-crystal neutron interferometer. It is shown that under the given circumstances of neutron self-interference coherence is preserved in spite of the energy transfer to every neutron, which may stimulate renewed epistemological discussions about the interpretation of quantum mechanics. Furthermore quantum beating on a macroscopic time scale has been observed by introducing an exceedingly small energy difference of 8.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}17}$ eV between the two interfering beams. According to the statistical accuracy of the data thereby an energy sensitivity of 2.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}19}$ eV has been achieved.

Physical Review A•Oct 1, 1986•156 citations

Interaction between a spin-1/2 atom and a strong rf field

T. Yabuzaki, S. Nakayama, Y. Murakami +1 more

Energies of the coupled system of a spin-1/2 atom in a static magnetic field and an oscillating rf field are analyzed with the resolvent formalism and numerically calculated by quantizing the rf field, for the general case that the strong rf field is oriented in an arbitrary direction to the static magnetic field. It is shown that, if the component of the static field along the direction of the rf field has particular values, level crossings take place and multiphoton transitions by even or odd numbers of rf photons become forbidden, even when the polarization of the rf field satisfies the parity condition for the multiphoton transitions. Particular attention is given to the direction and amount of the shifts of the level crossings by the rf field, together with the shifts of the anticrossings or of the multiphoton transitions. Theoretical results are verified by the optical-pumping experiments with cesium vapor.

Physical Review A•Dec 1, 1974•52 citations

Coherent energy manipulation in single-neutron interferometry

Stephan Sponar, Jürgen Klepp, Rudolf Loidl +4 more

We have observed the stationary interference oscillations of a triple-entangled neutron state in an interferometric experiment. Time-dependent interaction with two radio-frequency fields enables coherent manipulation of an energy degree of freedom in a single neutron. The system is characterized by a multiply entangled state governed by a Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian. The experimental results confirm coherence of the manipulation as well as the validity of the description.

arXiv:0803.3545•Physical Review A•Dec 15, 2008•25 citations

Neutron wave-interference experiments with adiabatic passage of neutron spin through resonant coils

Сергей Валентинович Григорьев, Rob Kreuger, Wicher H. Kraan +2 more

Neutron resonance spin echo phenomena, produced by resonance coils with adiabatic passage of the neutron spin, are investigated experimentally and theoretically. The adiabatic passage of the neutron spin through a resonance coil requires a specific configuration of the magnetic field. The solution of the Schr\"odinger equation, obtained for the required configuration, shows the probability of a spin-flip process; it also shows the phase shift, which the neutron experienced, when it flies through it. The precession phase inside the coil consists of three contributions in the rotating frame approach. The first, biggest contribution is the phase of the rotating frame ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}\ensuremath{\tau}.$ The second is the precession phase of the neutron spin in the rotating frame since it follows adiabatically the effective field as seen in this frame. The third, smallest contribution is Berry's phase since the magnetic field rotates over an angle approaching $\ensuremath{\pi}$ in this rotating frame. This rotation is followed adiabatically by the neutron spin. Finally, the amplitude of the interference pattern and the phase shift between the neutron-spin states are derived for a system consisting of two such flippers. The theoretical consideration is experimentally confirmed.

Physical Review A•Jun 7, 2001•13 citations
We calculate a neutron's transition amplitudes to various energy and spin states when it interacts with a magnetic field oscillating in time. Two field configurations are analyzed: the oscillating component normal to the static component when the rotating-wave approximation is inapplicable and the oscillating and static components parallel to each other. The two cases require different mechanisms of angular momentum conservation. Experimental tests are proposed including neutron interferometry and double crystal diffraction, the latter permitting observation of quantized energy transfer from fields oscillating at only a few hundred kilohertz.
If a quantum mechanical particle passes a spatially finite region of a purely time-dependent potential, coherent emission and absorption of energy take place. Due to Zeeman interaction, this situation can be realized with neutrons crossing an oscillating magnetic field. We solve the corresponding Schr\"odinger equation for fields consisting of an arbitrary number of frequencies and measure the calculated transition amplitudes for the quantized energy transfer by means of time-dependent neutron interferometry. Investigating the interferometer contrast for magnetic signals consisting of a high number of modes whose phases are randomly distributed shows that noise fields and therefore decoherence processes can be modeled in this calculation as well.
Polarized neutron interferometry has been used to measure the amplitudes for the exchange of up to five photons between the neutron and an oscillating magnetic field. The Rabi spin flip configuration and a configuration in which spin flip is suppressed were investigated, because they raise different questions on the conservation of angular momentum. Because of the linearity of the time-dependent interference signal in the exchange amplitudes, photon exchange probabilities below 1% could be resolved.
In continuation of previous work explicitly demonstrating the basic quantum-mechanical principles of the static and the time-dependent superposition of spinors, a new double-resonance coil experiment is described, where a spin-flip process associated with an exchange of energy quanta happens in both beams of a perfect-crystal neutron interferometer. It is shown that under the given circumstances of neutron self-interference coherence is preserved in spite of the energy transfer to every neutron, which may stimulate renewed epistemological discussions about the interpretation of quantum mechanics. Furthermore quantum beating on a macroscopic time scale has been observed by introducing an exceedingly small energy difference of 8.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}17}$ eV between the two interfering beams. According to the statistical accuracy of the data thereby an energy sensitivity of 2.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}19}$ eV has been achieved.
Energies of the coupled system of a spin-1/2 atom in a static magnetic field and an oscillating rf field are analyzed with the resolvent formalism and numerically calculated by quantizing the rf field, for the general case that the strong rf field is oriented in an arbitrary direction to the static magnetic field. It is shown that, if the component of the static field along the direction of the rf field has particular values, level crossings take place and multiphoton transitions by even or odd numbers of rf photons become forbidden, even when the polarization of the rf field satisfies the parity condition for the multiphoton transitions. Particular attention is given to the direction and amount of the shifts of the level crossings by the rf field, together with the shifts of the anticrossings or of the multiphoton transitions. Theoretical results are verified by the optical-pumping experiments with cesium vapor.
Neutron resonance spin echo phenomena, produced by resonance coils with adiabatic passage of the neutron spin, are investigated experimentally and theoretically. The adiabatic passage of the neutron spin through a resonance coil requires a specific configuration of the magnetic field. The solution of the Schr\"odinger equation, obtained for the required configuration, shows the probability of a spin-flip process; it also shows the phase shift, which the neutron experienced, when it flies through it. The precession phase inside the coil consists of three contributions in the rotating frame approach. The first, biggest contribution is the phase of the rotating frame ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}\ensuremath{\tau}.$ The second is the precession phase of the neutron spin in the rotating frame since it follows adiabatically the effective field as seen in this frame. The third, smallest contribution is Berry's phase since the magnetic field rotates over an angle approaching $\ensuremath{\pi}$ in this rotating frame. This rotation is followed adiabatically by the neutron spin. Finally, the amplitude of the interference pattern and the phase shift between the neutron-spin states are derived for a system consisting of two such flippers. The theoretical consideration is experimentally confirmed.