Observation of the topological Aharonov-Casher phase shift by neutron interferometry

Abstract

The phase shift predicted by Aharonov and Casher for a magnetic dipole diffracting around a charged electrode has been observed for the case of thermal neutrons, using a neutron interferometer containing a 30-kV/mm vacuum electrode system. The judicious use of the Earth's gravitational field introduces a spin-independent phase shift which enables unpolarized neutrons to be used. A supplementary magnetic bias field of the correct magnitude allows first-order sensitivity to be achieved; even so, the theoretically predicted phase shift is only 1.50 mrad for the geometry and conditions of the experiment. We observe a phase shift of 2.19\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.52 mrad.