Relativistic Stern-Gerlach Interaction in an RF Cavity

[摘要] The general expression of the Stern-Gerlach (SG) force is deduced for a relativistic charged spin-1/2 particle which travels inside a time varying magnetic field. This result was obtained either by means of two Lorentz boosts or starting from Dirac's equation. Then, the utilization of this interaction for attaining the spin states separation is reconsidered in a new example using a new radio-frequency arrangement. On the basis of the previous estimates, we feel ready to propose the time varying SG interaction as a method for attaining a spin state separation of an unpolarized beam of, say (anti)protons, since the energy of particles with opposite spin orientations will differ and beams in the two states can be separated. In a first stage of the study of a sensible practical design, we intend to proceed with numerical simulations. As a first step, we intend to verify the correctness of Eqs.(42) and (43) setting once {beta}{sub ph} = 2 and then {beta}{sub ph} = 3, in a cavity where the field line pattern can be realistically controlled. Beyond the verification of the present theory, there is also the aim of studying the effects generated by the spin precession inside the cavity, that we did not yet address in this note. Next, we shall consider a spin splitter scheme based on the lattice of an existing or planned (anti)proton ring endowed with an array of splitting cavities. The principal aim of the latter implementations is to check the mixing effect of the longitudinal phase-plane filamentation, i.e. the actual foe which could frustrate the entire spin splitting process.

[发布日期] 2009-05-01

[学科分类] 核物理和高能物理

[关键词] CAVITIES;RF SYSTEMS;STERN-GERLACH EXPERIMENT;PRECESSION;SPIN;SPIN ORIENTATION;ANTIPROTON BEAMS