Aharonov-Bohm Effect & Spin 1/2 Particles

[cragar]

Can I get a spin 1/2 particle to deflect with the aharonov bohm effect.
Where the B field is zero but A is not? Or will it just change the phase in the state-vector?
can I get the spin up particles to go one way and the spin down particles to go another way.

 

[DrDu]

The AB effect acts on charged particles but is independent of spin.
For particles with spin there is an analogous deflection in electric fields, the Aharonov-Casher effect.

 

[cragar]

it seems that if it affects charged particles that it would also affect spin, because spin is affected by a B field.
thanks for your post

 

[DrDu]

But not all particles having spin are charged. Stern and Gerlach were using neutral silver atoms in their experiment.

 

[cragar]

ok I see your point.
Thats interesting that it only acts on charged particles.
So if I shot silver atoms by a solenoid I would not observe the AB-effect.