Spectral modulation and squeezing at high-order neutron interferences

Abstract

A striking spectral-modulation effect has been observed by means of a proper postselection procedure under conditions where the spatial shift of the wave trains greatly exceeds the coherence length of the neutron beams traversing an interferometer. It is shown that Schr\"odinger-cat-like states are created by the superposition of two coherent states generated in the interferometer. These entangled states exhibit, under certain circumstances, characteristic squeezing phenomena, indicating a highly nonclassical behavior. Analogies with optical experiments are discussed.