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New Journal of Physics

Unveiling hidden geometric phase of neutron spin rotation in the Bitter–Dubbers experiment

Jian-Jian Cheng, Lin Zhang

Published Jan 24, 2025• 2 citations

Abstract

Abstract We propose a novel framework to describe geometric phases in quantum systems under non-adiabatic conditions by introducing the concept of a hidden geometric phase. Conventional geometric phases, such as the Berry phase, rely on adiabatic evolution, limiting their applicability in rapidly changing systems. Here, we remove this constraint by reinterpreting the geometric phase as arising from a dynamically evolving reference basis, independent of the external topological features. The hidden phase is revealed through transitionless quantum control techniques, ensuring pure geometric phase accumulation even in non-adiabatic regimes. Our method offers an exact solution to the neutron spin rotation phase in the Bitter–Dubbers experiment, aligning more closely with experimental data without depending on adiabatic approximations. This unexpected result broadens our understanding of the geometric phase observed in neutron spin rotation beyond the adiabatic conditions that are conventionally required.

DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/adae29

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