Interferences with Massive Particles

Sue Sulcs, B. C. Gilbert, C.F. Osborne

Paula I Villar and, Fernando C Lombardo

Matter-wave interferometry has been largely studied in the last few years. Usually, the main problem in the analysis of the diffraction experiments is to establish the causes for the loss of coherence observed in the interference pattern. In this work, we use different type of environmental couplings to model a two slit diffraction experiment with massive particles. For each model, we study the effects of decoherence on the interference pattern and define a visibility function that measures the loss of contrast of the interference fringes on a distant screen. Finally, we apply our results to the experimental reported data on massive particles C 70 .

Mattia Walschaers

Robert B. Griffiths

Ivars Peterson

A. G. Klein, G. I. Opat, Alberto Cimmino +3 more

Using a two-slit neutron interferometer, we have measured the shift of the interference pattern induced by the motion of a quartz rod. The measured shift is found to be in agreement with the quantum mechanical prediction derived from a relativity argument. Some peculiarities of the case of massive particles as compared with the classic Fizeau photon case are discussed.