Phase shift of de Broglie waves by spatial confinement

摘要

A de Broglie wave will suffer a small change of momentum in the direction of motion following the introduction of transverse spatial constrictions. This results in a change in phase of the wavefunction that is purely geometrical in origin; a momentum charge occurs with no applied force. This predicted phase change will be measured by introducing the constrictions into a perfect crystal neutron interferometer at the University of Missouri Research Reactor Centre. 4 refs., 3 figs. (Atomindex citation 28:039179)