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Unveiling contextual realities by microscopically entangling a neutron

Author

Listed:
  • J. Shen

    (Indiana University
    Indiana University Center for the Exploration of Energy and Matter
    Indiana University Quantum Science and Engineering Center)

  • S. J. Kuhn

    (Indiana University
    Indiana University Center for the Exploration of Energy and Matter
    Indiana University Quantum Science and Engineering Center)

  • R. M. Dalgliesh

    (ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • V. O. Haan

    (BonPhysics Research and Investigations BV)

  • N. Geerits

    (Atominstitut, TU Wien)

  • A. A. M. Irfan

    (Indiana University
    Indiana University Quantum Science and Engineering Center)

  • F. Li

    (Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • S. Lu

    (Indiana University
    Indiana University Quantum Science and Engineering Center)

  • S. R. Parnell

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • J. Plomp

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • A. A. Well

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • A. Washington

    (ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • D. V. Baxter

    (Indiana University
    Indiana University Center for the Exploration of Energy and Matter
    Indiana University Quantum Science and Engineering Center)

  • G. Ortiz

    (Indiana University
    Indiana University Quantum Science and Engineering Center)

  • W. M. Snow

    (Indiana University
    Indiana University Center for the Exploration of Energy and Matter
    Indiana University Quantum Science and Engineering Center)

  • R. Pynn

    (Indiana University
    Indiana University Center for the Exploration of Energy and Matter
    Indiana University Quantum Science and Engineering Center
    Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

Abstract

The development of qualitatively new measurement capabilities is often a prerequisite for critical scientific and technological advances. Here we introduce an unconventional quantum probe, an entangled neutron beam, where individual neutrons can be entangled in spin, trajectory and energy. The spatial separation of trajectories from nanometers to microns and energy differences from peV to neV will enable investigations of microscopic magnetic correlations in systems with strongly entangled phases, such as those believed to emerge in unconventional superconductors. We develop an interferometer to prove entanglement of these distinguishable properties of the neutron beam by observing clear violations of both Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt and Mermin contextuality inequalities in the same experimental setup. Our work opens a pathway to a future of entangled neutron scattering in matter.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Shen & S. J. Kuhn & R. M. Dalgliesh & V. O. Haan & N. Geerits & A. A. M. Irfan & F. Li & S. Lu & S. R. Parnell & J. Plomp & A. A. Well & A. Washington & D. V. Baxter & G. Ortiz & W. M. Snow & R. Py, 2020. "Unveiling contextual realities by microscopically entangling a neutron," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14741-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14741-y
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