Observation of a topological phase by means of a nonplanar Mach-Zehnder interferometer

Journal Article · Sun Mar 27 23:00:00 EST 1988 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.60.1214· OSTI ID:5289996

Chiao, R Y; Antaramian, A; Ganga, K M; Jiao, H; Wilkinson, S R; Nathel, H

We report the direct observation of a topological phase, i.e., an Aharonov-Bohm-type phase, as a fringe shift in an optical interferometer, which consisted of a modified Mach-Zehnder interferometer, in which the light traveled along nonplanar paths in its two arms. These arms were arranged symmetrically so as to have nearly equal path lengths, but opposite senses of handedness. The relationship between the phase acquired by a circularly polarized light beam and the solid angle subtended by the circuit of the spin vector of a photon in this beam was found to be a linear one with a slope of unity. The sign of the fringe shift also agreed with theory.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720
• OSTI ID: 5289996
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 60:13; ISSN PRLTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

657002* -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Classical & Quantum Mechanics
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GAS LASERS
HELIUM-NEON LASERS
INTERFERENCE
INTERFEROMETERS
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
MACH-ZEHNDER INTERFEROMETER
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MATHEMATICS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PHOTONS
POLARIZATION
RADIATIONS
TOPOLOGY