Abstract
The motion of neutral particles with magnetic moments in an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described in a semiclassical framework. The concept of coherent internal states is used in the formulation of the semiclassical approximation from the full quantum-mechanical expression. The classical trajectories are defined only for certain spin states, that satisfy the conditions for being coherent internal states. The reliability of Stern-Gerlach experiments to measure spin projections is assessed in this framework.
- Received 18 May 2000
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.63.012101
©2000 American Physical Society