How to make a large stern gerlach magnet

[luiz1]

Hello Forum,

Does anyone know of any references on the construction of a Stern-Gerlach magnet? Most of the references I have seen so far discuss magnets that provide a constant field gradient (in the z-axis) over a few millimetres. Since I have a circular beam of about 1 cm diameter, I need a constant gradient over a much larger distance and with no variation in the x and y.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
L

 

[Curl]

Make a long solenoid?

 

[riclambo]

what's needed here is not a constant field (as would be provided by a solenoid) but a constant field gradient.

 

[Curl]

oh okay.

Then make a solenoid that has continuously wider spaced winds

||||||.|.|.|.|.|.|..|..|..|..|..|..|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...|...| ...etc

I don't know how close you want it to be to a "constant" gradient, but this is the idea i got right now...

 

[riclambo]

Thank you for your efforts Curl, but I would like to respectfully suggest that you take a look at the purpose of a stern gerlach magnet. The constant field gradient must be perpendicular to the axis along which the beam travels. A solenoid may give a constant field gradient, but it will be parallel to the axis along which the beam travels.

Regards