The Stern-Gerlach Effect for Electron Beams
Abstract
It is generally accepted that it is impossible to separate an electron beam according to spin using macroscopic electromagnetic fields because of effects related to the Uncertainty Principle. This idea was first put forth by Mott and Pauli (see, e. g., Handbuch der Physik V. 5 pt. 1, ed. S. Flugge, Berlin, Göttingen, Heidelberg, Springer, Section 23, p. 165, (1958)), but was attributed by them to Bohr. We performed a semi-classical computer simulation (including the Uncertainty Principle heuristically) to obtain insight into this claim. The results of our simulation are in agreement with Bohr's assertion for the case of transverse splitting with a Stern-Gerlach magnet in its standard geometry. However, we provide a counterexample that demonstrates that a longitudinal separation of the spin components of an electron beam is possible using an inhomogeneous magnetic field.
- Publication:
-
APS April Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- April 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997APS..APR..A102S