Publication in Phys. Rev. Lett. as Editor´s Pick and featured in APS Physics

15.09.2022

Nanoscale Magnetism Probed in a Matter-Wave Interferometer

Yaakov Y. Fein, Sebastian Pedalino, Armin Shayeghi, Filip Kialka, Stefan Gerlich and Markus Arndt
Phys. Rev. Lett 129, 123001 (2022)
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.123001

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Abstract:

We explore a wide range of fundamental magnetic phenomena by measuring the dephasing of matter-wave interference fringes upon application of a variable magnetic gradient. The versatility of our interferometric Stern-Gerlach technique enables us to study the magnetic properties of alkali atoms, organic radicals, and fullerenes in the same device, with magnetic moments ranging from a Bohr magneton to less than a nuclear magneton. We find evidence for magnetization of a supersonic beam of organic radicals and, most notably, observe a strong magnetic response of a thermal C60 beam consistent with high-temperature atomlike deflection of rotational magnetic moments.