Generation and detection of spin-orbit coupled neutron beams

Sarenac, Dusan; Kapahi, Connor; Chen, Wangchun; Clark, Charles W.; Cory, David G.; Huber, M.; Taminiau, Ivar; Zhernenkov, Kirill; Pushin, D. A.

doi:10.1073/pnas.1906861116

Cited by 47 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Advances in experimental methods have enabled the creation of structured beams of neutrons [1]. Matterwaves with structured phase fronts are formed with many different strategies ranging from spatially-dependent magnetic fields [2][3][4] to spiral phase plates made of thin graphite films [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Remote state preparation of single-photon orbital-angular-momentum lattices

et al. 2021

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Optical beams with periodic lattice structures have broadened the study of structured waves. In the present work, we generate spin-orbit entangled photon states with a lattice structure and use them in a remote state preparation protocol. We sequentially measure spatially-dependent correlation rates with an electron-multiplying intensified CCD camera and verify the successful remote preparation of spin-orbit states by performing pixel-wise quantum state tomography. Control of these novel structured waves in the quantum regime provides a method for quantum sensing and manipulation of periodic structures.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Remote state preparation of single-photon orbital-angular-momentum lattices

et al. 2021

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“…The predicted spin asymmetries range from 10 −6 to 10 −1 for relevant parameters and are detectable in experimental conditions similar to those used for parity-violating measurements [24,25]. Whereas generation of the twisted neutrons was experimentally demonstrated for lower fluxes [6][7][8], it will be desirable to use the high-flux sources of twisted neutrons in order to achieve sufficient statistical accuracy of the future measurements.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Schwinger scattering of twisted neutrons by nuclei

2019

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Thanks to J. Schwinger, the process of elastic scattering of neutrons by nuclei is known to depend on the interference between a nuclear amplitude and an electromagnetic one for small scattering angles, resulting in spin asymmetries of a cross section or in polarization of the scattered neutrons. While this interference depends on the neutron's transverse polarization and on an imaginary part of the nuclear amplitude, this conclusion holds only for the incident plane-wave neutrons with a definite momentum. Here we show that this scattering is altered when the twisted neutrons, recently obtained experimentally, are used instead -that is, neutrons with an orbital angular momentum. For bulk targets, the angular distributions of the scattered neutrons get modified, while scattering of a superposition of states with the different angular momenta also reveals dependence on the longitudinal polarization. For well-localized targets, the observables develop a dependence on the neutron's helicity and on a real part of the nuclear amplitude, providing full access to its phase already in the Born approximation. We argue that the corresponding spin asymmetries are measurable at existing neutron facilities. Thus, scattering of the twisted neutrons by nuclei can provide means for quantum tomography of the neutron states and become a useful tool for hadronic studies, low-energy nuclear physics, tests of fundamental symmetries, and neutron optics.Introduction. -In 1948 J. Schwinger predicted that in a process of elastic scattering of the non-relativistic neutrons by a nucleus with a charge Ze the final neutrons become spin-polarized, thanks to the spin-orbit coupling [1]. Nowadays such a scattering is well studied, both theoretically [2] and experimentally [3], and the polarized cold and thermal neutrons are needed for a number of standard model test measurements (see, e.g., [4]).

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“…Future experiments may explore the ratio of multiple scattering to higher-order diffraction through the use of Renninger scans [ 44 ]. Furthermore, we intend to use a newly developed reconstruction algorithm [ 45 ] to perform 3D tomography of skyrmion topological transitions in the bulk, as well as incorporate spin components to explore the structure of the neutron wavefunction after passing through a skyrmion sample [ 46 , 47 , 48 ].…”

Section: Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of a Disordered above Room Temperature Skyrmion Material Co8Zn8Mn4

et al. 2021

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Topologically nontrivial spin textures host great promise for future spintronic applications. Skyrmions in particular are of burgeoning interest owing to their nanometric size, topological protection, and high mobility via ultra-low current densities. It has been previously reported through magnetic susceptibility, microscopy, and scattering techniques that Co8Zn8Mn4 forms an above room temperature triangular skyrmion lattice. Here, we report the synthesis procedure and characterization of a polycrystalline Co8Zn8Mn4 disordered bulk sample. We employ powder X-ray diffraction and backscatter Laue diffraction as characterization tools of the crystallinity of the samples, while magnetic susceptibility and Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) measurements are performed to study the skyrmion phase. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show a dip anomaly in the magnetization curves, which persists over a range of approximately 305 K–315 K. SANS measurements reveal a rotationally disordered polydomain skyrmion lattice. Applying a symmetry-breaking magnetic field sequence, we were able to orient and order the previously jammed state to yield the prototypical hexagonal diffraction patterns with secondary diffraction rings. This emergence of the skyrmion order serves as a unique demonstration of the fundamental interplay of structural disorder and anisotropy in stabilizing the thermal equilibrium phase.

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Generation and detection of spin-orbit coupled neutron beams

Cited by 47 publications

References 49 publications

Remote state preparation of single-photon orbital-angular-momentum lattices

Remote state preparation of single-photon orbital-angular-momentum lattices

Schwinger scattering of twisted neutrons by nuclei

Characterization of a Disordered above Room Temperature Skyrmion Material Co8Zn8Mn4

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