Neutron interferomerty with Protons?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the feasibility and differences of conducting interferometry experiments with protons and electrons compared to neutrons, particularly in the context of using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer constructed from single crystals. Participants explore the challenges and potential for coherence in these experiments.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the absence of experiments demonstrating neutron interferometry with protons or electrons and questions whether there should be any differences in the outcomes.
  • Another participant asserts that using protons or electrons in interferometry does not constitute neutron interferometry, highlighting the stronger interactions of charged particles with matter.
  • A participant references electron crystallography as evidence that coherence can be maintained with the right choice of crystals, questioning why large-scale Mach-Zehnder interferometers for electrons cannot be constructed similarly to those for neutrons.
  • Another participant emphasizes that diffraction of electrons does not equate to neutron diffraction and reiterates the difficulty of penetrating materials with electrons compared to neutrons.
  • One participant suggests that while beam-splitters for electronic interferometers must be thinner, coherence has been preserved in previous experiments, implying that other factors may prevent the construction of large-scale electronic/protonic interferometers.
  • A later reply insists that protons and electrons are only suitable for surface measurements due to their interactions with the bulk medium, indicating a limitation in their application for such interferometry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of using protons and electrons in interferometry, with some asserting significant challenges and limitations, while others believe that coherence can be maintained under certain conditions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the potential for large-scale electronic or protonic Mach-Zehnder interferometers.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions regarding the interactions of charged particles with matter and the conditions necessary for maintaining coherence, but these assumptions are not fully explored or agreed upon.

shunra
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I have been looking for experiments demonstrating neutron interferomerty with protons or electrons instead, and found non. Should there be any difference? I refer to experiments in which, for example, the Mach-Zehnder interferometer is cut from a single crystal.
 
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If you do interferometry with protons or electrons, it is not neutron interferomerty.

Double-slit experiments with electrons and protons are possible. As they are charged, their interaction with matter is stronger, so it is tricky to send them through solid matter without significant incoherent interaction.
 
mfb wrote "...it is tricky to send [electrons and protons] through solid matter without significant incoherent interaction."

But electron crystalography is possible (Davisson got a Nobel for it) so it seems that, at least with the right choice of crystals, coherence is not lost in the interaction. Why, then, can't one make a large scale Mach-Zhender interferometer for electrons using those crystals as beam-splitters/reflectors, just as is done in the case of neutrons?
 
If you diffract electrons, it is not neutron diffraction, is it?

What you have been told here is correct - it is easier to get penetration into a material's bulk with neutrons than electrons. If you want to use electrons, it is difficult to probe beyond the surface.
 
Ok, so the beam-splitter must be much thiner in an electronic MZ interferometer (thin enough for the electrons to pass though) but as I said, this has been done before and there is no loss of coherence. I still believe that there are no large scale electronic/protonic MZ interferometers for another reason.
 
There are - and we keep telling you why. Protons and electrons interact with the bulk medium and as such are only suitable for surface measurements. Believe it or not - youir choice.
 

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