Since the seminal Stern-Gerlach experiment in 1922, textbook quantum mechanics and classical electrodynamics have maintained that a neutral magnetic dipole requires a spatial field gradient to experience a translational force. Consequently, standard physical paradigms assume that a perfectly homogeneous magnetic field cannot cause beam splitting. This paper proposes a definitive, low-cost experiment to close this century-old empirical gap, predicting a discrete symmetric splitting of a neutral paramagnetic atom beam within a strictly homogeneous magnetic field core based on the structural framework of the Model of Everything (MoE) and the Dense Quble Packing (DQP).
Since the seminal Stern-Gerlach experiment in 1922, textbook quantum mechanics and classical electrodynamics have maintained that a neutral magnetic dipole requires a spatial field gradient to experience a translational force. Consequently, standard physical paradigms assume that a perfectly homogeneous magnetic field cannot cause beam splitting. This paper proposes a definitive, low-cost experiment to close this century-old empirical gap, predicting a discrete symmetric splitting of a neutral paramagnetic atom beam within a strictly homogeneous magnetic field core based on the structural framework of the Model of Everything (MoE) and the Dense Quble Packing (DQP).
The Stern-Gerlach (SG) experiment reported in 1922 was an important milestone in the history of physics. The passing of a collimated neutral beam of silver atoms through a long, strong and asymmetrical magnet caused the atoms of silver out of a horizontal slit to split roughly into two separate beams forming a hollow lip figure (as seen on a plate held normal to the beam) instead of being a filled-in lip figure as suggested by some theoretical calculations. The SG results were thought to indicate that the observed phenomenon can not be explained using classical physics. Following a classical numerical approach by the author using a double-slit geometry, results are given for a 3D numerical SG type experiment showing clearly that a binary beam splitting is possible for certain conditions using an inverse square relation as the only source of forces- thus giving the possibility of a classical interpretation to the problem. For simplicity, we use what is mathematically equivalent- a dipole of charges to represent the magnetic dipole of the atom, and sets of fixed charges or potential surfaces around the path of the beam to represent the poles of a magnet. Although not exactly following the SG setup, the present results, nonetheless, are useful in showing the clear discrete behavior that can be caused by the combination of a fixed boundary, a strong field asymmetry and the highly nonlinear mapping of the inverse square law of forces coupled with the spin direction of a particle.
Abstract In 1921, Otto Stern conceived the idea for an experiment that would decide between a classical and a quantum description of atomic behavior, as epitomized by the Bohr–Sommerfeld–Debye model of the atom. This model entailed not only the quantization of the magnitude of the orbital electronic angular momentum but also of the projection of the angular momentum on an external magnetic field – the so‐called space quantization. Stern recognized that space quantization would have observable consequences: namely, that the magnetic dipole moment due to the orbital angular momentum would be space quantized as well, taking two opposite values for atoms whose only unpaired electron has just one quantum of orbital angular momentum. When acted upon by a suitable inhomogeneous magnetic field, a beam of such atoms would be split into two beams consisting of deflected atoms with opposite projections of the orbital angular momentum on the magnetic field. In contradistinction, if atoms behaved classically, the atomic beam would only broaden along the field gradient and have maximum intensity at zero deflection, i. e., where there would be a minimum or no intensity for a beam split due to space quantization. Stern anticipated that, although simple in principle, the experiment would be difficult to carry out – and invited Walther Gerlach to team up with him. Gerlach's realism and experimental skills together with his sometimes stubborn determination to make things work proved invaluable for the success of the Stern–Gerlach experiment (SGE). After a long struggle, Gerlach finally saw, on 8 February 1922, the splitting of a beam of silver atoms in a magnetic field. The absence of the concept of electron spin confused and confounded the interpretation of the SGE, as the silver atoms were, in fact, in a 2S state, with zero orbital and spin angular momentum. However, a key quantum feature whose existence the SGE was designed to test – namely space quantization of electronic angular momentum – was robust enough to transpire independent of whether the electronic angular momentum was orbital or due to spin. The SGE entails other key aspects of quantum mechanics such as quantum measurement, state preparation, coherence, and entanglement. Confronted with the outcome of the SGE, Stern noted: “I still have objections to the idea of beauty of quantum mechanics. But she is correct.”
Since its completion in 1922, the Stern-Gerlach experiment has long been regarded in mainstream quantum mechanics as a key experimental evidence for the 1/2 intrinsic spin of electrons, and a foundational observation for spatial quantization and quantum state collapse theory. Based on the basic standpoint of the light-origin theory, this paper adheres to the core criterion that magnetism is a secondary effect derived from the directional motion of electric charges, and re-examines the phenomenon that silver atomic beams split into two streams in a non-uniform magnetic field. This paper points out that the "intrinsic spin magnetic moment" defined by mainstream quantum theory cannot correspond to closed charge circulation inside the electron (the classical rotation model leads to the contradiction of superluminal speed), and violates the unified origin principle of "electricity generating magnetism" in electromagnetism. Essentially, it is a mathematical degree of freedom artificially introduced to fit experimental results. This paper proposes that the bifurcation effect of silver atomic beams can be fully explained by the orientation coupling between magnetic dipoles formed by ordered charge circulation of electrons inside atoms and an external non-uniform magnetic field. The magnetic dipoles of incident silver atoms are randomly distributed in orientation statistically, yet only two orientations, parallel and antiparallel to the external magnetic field, can remain stable in the gradient magnetic field, while intermediate orientations are unstable and excluded. Eventually the atomic beam separates into two discrete streams, with no need to introduce the hypothesis of intrinsic spin without physical carriers. This paper further designs a discriminative experimental scheme: in a single-electron trapping system with ultra-low temperature and strong magnetic shielding, after thermal jitter is sufficiently suppressed, if no stable self-sustained static magnetic dipole signal of the electron can be detected, it will constitute a direct test for the hypothesis of intrinsic spin magnetic moment.
The Stern-Gerlach (SG) effect, discovered almost a century ago, has become a paradigm of quantum mechanics. Surprisingly there is little evidence that the original scheme with freely propagating atoms exposed to gradients from macroscopic magnets is a fully coherent quantum process. Specifically, no high-visibility spatial interference pattern has been observed with such a scheme, and furthermore no full-loop SG interferometer has been realized with the scheme as envisioned decades ago. On the contrary, numerous theoretical studies explained why it is a near impossible endeavor. Here we demonstrate for the first time both a high-visibility spatial SG interference pattern and a full-loop SG interferometer, based on an accurate magnetic field, originating from an atom chip, that ensures coherent operation within strict constraints described by previous theoretical analyses. This also allows us to observe the gradual emergence of time-irreversibility as the splitting is increased. Finally, achieving this high level of control over magnetic gradients may facilitate technological applications such as large-momentum-transfer beam splitting for metrology with atom interferometry, ultra-sensitive probing of electron transport down to shot-noise and squeezed currents, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance and compact accelerators.
Abstract We present a feasibility study with several magnetic field configurations for creating spin-dependent forces that can split a low-energy ion beam by the Stern–Gerlach (SG) effect. To the best of our knowledge, coherent spin-splittings of charged particles have yet to be realised. Our proposal is based on ion source parameters taken from a recent experiment that demonstrated single-ion implantation from a high-brightness ion source combined with a radio-frequency Paul trap. The inhomogeneous magnetic fields can be created by permanently magnetised microstructures or from current-carrying wires with sizes in the micron range, such as those recently used in a successful implementation of the SG effect with neutral atoms. All relevant forces (Lorentz force and image charges) are taken into account, and measurable splittings are found by analytical and numerical calculations.