Neutron Interferometry: Lessons in Experimental Quantum Mechanics, Wave-Particle Duality, and Entanglement: No.12 - Rilegato

Rauch, Helmut

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0198500270 ISBN 13: 9780198500278

Casa editrice: Clarendon Press, 2001

Riassunto

The quantum interference of DeBroglie matter waves is probably one of the most startling and fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. It continues to tax our imaginations and leads us to new experimental windows on nature. Quantum interference phenomena are vividly displayed in the wide assembly of neutron interferometry experiments, which have been carried out since the first demonstration of a perfect silicon crystal interferometer in 1974. Since the neutron experiences all four fundamental forces of nature (strong, weak, electromagnetic, and gravitational), interferometry with neutrons provides a fertile testing ground for theory and precision measurements. Many Gedanken experiments of quantum mechanics have become real due to neutron interferometry. This book provides the reader with a detailed account of neutron interferometry experiments. The basic ideas and experiments related to coherence properties of matter waves and various post-selection criteria, gravitationally induced phase shifts, Berry's geometrical phase, spinor symmetry and spin superposition, Aharonov-Bohm topological interference effects, and the neutron version of the Sagnac effect are presented in a self-contained and pedagogical way. Interferometry with perfect crystals, artificial lattices, and spin-echo systems are topics of this book. It includes the theoretical motivations as well as connections to other areas of experimental physics, such as quantum optics, nuclear physics, gravitation, and atom interferometry. The book is written in a style that will be suitable at the beginning graduate level, and will excite many students and researchers in neutron physics, quantum optics, and atomic physics. Lecturers teaching courses in modern physics and quantum mechanics will find a number of interesting and historic experiments they may want to include in their lectures.

Su questo libro

L'autore

Professor Helmut Rauch, Director of Institute for Nuclear Physics, Technical University of Vienna, Stadionallee 2, A-1020 Wien, Austria. Professor Samuel A. Werner, Millsap Distinguished Professor of Physics, Department of Physics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

Contenuti

• 1: Introduction
• 2: Neutron interferometers and apparatus
• 3: Neutron interactions and the coherent scattering length
• 4: Coherence properties
• 5: Spinor symmetry and spin superposition
• 6: Topological and geometric phases
• 7: Gravitational, non-inertial, and motional effects
• 8: Search for speculative effects
• 9: Solid State physics applications
• 10: Perfect crystal neutron optics
• 11: Interpretational questions
• 12: References

Dettagli dell?edizione

• Editore: Clarendon Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0198500270
• ISBN 13: 9780198500278
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Lingua: Inglese
• Numero di pagine: 408