Macro-scale matter wave generation in charged particle dynamics in a magnetic field, a consequence of quantum entanglement

Abstract

Matter wave interference effects on the macro-scale predicted by the author in charged particle dynamics in a magnetic field [R.K. Varma, Phys. Rev. E 64, 036608 (2001)], and observed subsequently [R.K. Varma, A.M. Punithavelu, S.B. Banerjee, Phys. Rev. E 65, 026503 (2002); R.K. Varma, S.B. Banerjee, Phys. Scr. 75, 19 (2007)] have been shown here to be an interesting consequence of quantum entanglement between the parallel and perpendicular degrees of freedom of the particle. Treating the problem in the framework of the inelastic scattering theory, it is shown that these macro-scale matter waves are generated in the ‘parallel’ degree of freedom as a modulation of the plane wave state of the particle along the field concomitantly with the excitation of Landau levels in the perpendicular degree of freedom in an inelastic scattering episode. We highlight here the role of quantum entanglement leading to the generation of this macro-scale quantum entity which has been shown to exhibit observable consequences. This case also exemplifies a situation exhibiting quantum entanglement on the macro-scale.