Semiclassical description of Stern-Gerlach experiments

Description

The motion of neutral particles with magnetic moments in an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described in a semiclassical framework. The concept of coherent internal states is used in the formulation of the semiclassical approximation from the full quantum-mechanical expression. The classical trajectories are defined only for certain spin states, that satisfy the conditions for being coherent internal states. The reliability of Stern-Gerlach experiments to measure spin projections is assessed in this framework.

Abstract

España, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología

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