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felicity87
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Homework Statement
Compare the following situations (a) and (b):
(a) A beam of atoms, half of which are preselected as “+ in z”, the
other half as “− in z”, is sent through a Stern-Gerlach apparatus
that
...(A) sorts in the z direction.
...(B) sorts in the x direction.
(b) A beam of atoms, all of which are preselected as “+ in x”, is sent
through a Stern-Gerlach apparatus that
...(A) sorts in the z direction.
...(B) sorts in the x direction.
Homework Equations
| x+ > = [tex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}[/tex] | z+ > + [tex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}[/tex] | z- >
| z+ > = [tex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}[/tex] | x+ > + [tex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}[/tex] | x- >
| z- > = [tex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}[/tex] | x+ > - [tex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}[/tex] | x- >
\\Edit :The Question is whether we can differentiate between situation (a) and (b) by knowing the results of the experiment alone. \\
The Attempt at a Solution
I would think that the measurement results do not enable us to tell the situation apart.
In (a), (A) will results in 50:50 selection and x-selector (B) will sort +/- x atoms 50:50.
In (b), (A) will results in 50:50 selection and x-selector (B) will sort now +/- z atoms 50:50.
However, I found the answer to be 'yes'. I am thinking that we can only tell the situation apart when there was no measurement done in (A) stage.
Can someone explain?
With Thanks,
Felicity
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