Abstract
The generation and control of neutron orbital angular momentum (OAM) states and spin correlated OAM (spin-orbit) states provides a powerful probe of materials with unique penetrating abilities and magnetic sensitivity. We describe techniques to prepare and characterize neutron spin-orbit states, and provide a quantitative comparison to known procedures. The proposed detection method directly measures the correlations of spin state and transverse momentum, and overcomes the major challenges associated with neutrons, which are low flux and small spatial coherence length. Our preparation techniques, utilizing special geometries of magnetic fields, are based on coherent averaging and spatial control methods borrowed from nuclear magnetic resonance. The described procedures may be extended to other probes such as electrons and electromagnetic waves.
Highlights
In addition to possessing spin angular momentum, beams of light [1], electrons [2, 3], and neutrons [4, 5] can carry orbital angular momentum (OAM) parallel to their propagation axis
The generation and control of neutron orbital angular momentum (OAM) states and spin correlated OAM states provides a powerful probe of materials with unique penetrating abilities and magnetic sensitivity
Our preparation techniques, utilizing special geometries of magnetic fields, are based on coherent averaging and spatial control methods borrowed from nuclear magnetic resonance
Summary
In addition to possessing spin angular momentum, beams of light [1], electrons [2, 3], and neutrons [4, 5] can carry orbital angular momentum (OAM) parallel to their propagation axis. In this paper we develop methods of producing neutron spin-orbit states using special geometries of magnetic fields. We quantify and compare the practical methods for preparation and detection of neutron spin-orbit states. We propose a method to characterize neutron spin-orbit states by measuring correlations between the spin direction and the momentum projected to a specific axis.
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