Magneto-electric momentum transfer to atoms and molecules
Optics
2011-07-27 v1 Atomic Physics
Abstract
We report the first observation of mechanical momentum transferred to atoms and molecules upon application of crossed electric and magnetic fields. We identify this momentum as the microscopic analogue of the classical Abraham force. Several predictions of additional magneto-electrically induced mechanical momentum are addressed. One of them, proposed to result from the interaction with the quantum vacuum, is experimentally refuted, others are found to be currently below experimental detection.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1107.5284,
title = {Magneto-electric momentum transfer to atoms and molecules},
author = {G. L. J. A. Rikken and Bart Van Tiggelen},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1107.5284},
year = {2011}
}
Comments
4 pages, 3 figures, one table