Novel approach to neutron electric dipole moment search using weak measurement. (17th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ueda, Daiki; Kitahara, Teppei
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 54:Number 8(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-17
• Subjects: weak measurement -- neutron electric dipole moment -- weak value amplification; Atoms -- Periodicals; Molecules -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Nuclear physics -- Periodicals; 539.6
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6455/abc5a0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-4075

Abstract

Abstract: We propose a novel approach in a search for the neutron electric dipole moment (EDM) by taking advantage of signal amplification in a weak measurement, known as weak value amplification. Considering an analogy to the weak measurement that can measure the spin magnetic moment interaction, we examine an experimental setup with a polarized neutron beam through an external electric field with spatial gradient, where the signal is sensitive to the EDM interaction. In particular, a dedicated analysis of effects from impurities in pre- and post-selections is performed. We show that the weak value amplification occurs where the signal is enhanced by up to two orders of magnitude, and demonstrate a potential sensitivity of the proposed setup to the neutron EDM.