Quantum mechanical modeling of the multi-stage Stern–Gerlach experiment by Frisch and Segrè using the von Neumann equation

S. Suleyman Kahraman; Kelvin Titimbo; Zhe He; Jung-Tsung Shen; Lihong V. Wang

doi:10.1117/12.3002213

13 March 2024 Quantum mechanical modeling of the multi-stage Stern–Gerlach experiment by Frisch and Segrè using the von Neumann equation

S. Suleyman Kahraman, Kelvin Titimbo, Zhe He, Jung-Tsung Shen, Lihong V. Wang

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume PC12912, Quantum Sensing, Imaging, and Precision Metrology II; PC129122D (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3002213
Event: SPIE Quantum West, 2024, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The multi-stage Stern–Gerlach experiment conducted by Frisch and Segrè has been modeled analytically using quantum mechanics by Majorana and revised by Rabi by including the hyperfine interaction. However, the closed-form analytical predictions, which rely on approximations, do not match the experimental observation well. To avoid the approximations, we numerically solve the standard quantum mechanical model, via the von Neumann equation, which includes the hyperfine interaction for the time evolution of the spin. The outcome is compared with the experimental observation and the predictions by Majorana, Rabi, and an alternative model called co-quantum dynamics. Thus far, the coefficients of determination from the standard quantum mechanical model, which does not use free parameters, are still below zero. Non-standard variants that improve the match are explored.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

S. Suleyman Kahraman, Kelvin Titimbo, Zhe He, Jung-Tsung Shen, and Lihong V. Wang "Quantum mechanical modeling of the multi-stage Stern–Gerlach experiment by Frisch and Segrè using the von Neumann equation", Proc. SPIE PC12912, Quantum Sensing, Imaging, and Precision Metrology II, PC129122D (13 March 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3002213

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