Quantum mechanical description of Stern-Gerlach experiments
Quantum Physics
2009-11-10 v1
Abstract
The motion of neutral particles with magnetic moments in an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described in a quantum mechanical framework. The validity of the semi-classical approximations which are generally used to describe these phenomena is discussed. Approximate expressions for the evolution operator are derived and compared to the exact calculations. Focusing and spin-flip phenomena are predicted. The reliability of Stern-Gerlach experiments to measure spin projections is assessed in this framework.
Cite
@article{arxiv.quant-ph/0409206,
title = {Quantum mechanical description of Stern-Gerlach experiments},
author = {G. Potel and F. Barranco and S. Cruz-Barrios and J. Gómez-Camacho},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/0409206},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
12 pages, 7 eps figures included, revtex, submitted to PRA