A simulation framework for Ramsey interferometry
Persson, Linus B. LU
; Fierlinger, Peter
; Holl, Matthias
LU
and Santoro, Valentina
LU
(2026)
In Journal of Instrumentation
21(8).
- Abstract
The sensitivity of Ramsey interferometry experiments is governed by the interplay between the beam phase-space distribution and the magnetic field environment through which the spins propagate. Quantitative optimisation thus requires a consistent treatment of optics, magnetics and spin dynamics. We present a simulation framework that enables such an analysis by combining neutron optics simulations in McStas, magnetic field modelling in COMSOL and spin-dynamics simulation in the new RamseyProp program. We describe how important experimental parameters such as adiabaticity, flip angle distributions and Ramsey fringe contrast can be studied. The code is being applied to design an experiment to search for axion-like particles at the... (More)
The sensitivity of Ramsey interferometry experiments is governed by the interplay between the beam phase-space distribution and the magnetic field environment through which the spins propagate. Quantitative optimisation thus requires a consistent treatment of optics, magnetics and spin dynamics. We present a simulation framework that enables such an analysis by combining neutron optics simulations in McStas, magnetic field modelling in COMSOL and spin-dynamics simulation in the new RamseyProp program. We describe how important experimental parameters such as adiabaticity, flip angle distributions and Ramsey fringe contrast can be studied. The code is being applied to design an experiment to search for axion-like particles at the European Spallation Source (ESS). We examine how the pulsed time structure of the ESS can be exploited to perform Ramsey interferometry on a broad neutron velocity spectrum. In the absence of velocity or timing restrictions, the standard deviation of the spin flip angle at zero detuning can be reduced from 0.67 to 0.17 radians using time-dependent amplitude modulation. Similarly, the phase sensitivity can be improved by a factor ∼ 4 for a 10 m long setup starting 15 m from the ESS moderator.
(Less)
- author
- Persson, Linus B.
LU
; Fierlinger, Peter
; Holl, Matthias
LU
and Santoro, Valentina
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-08
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Analysis and statistical methods, Instrumentation for neutron sources, Simulation methods and programs
- in
- Journal of Instrumentation
- volume
- 21
- issue
- 8
- article number
- P08004
- publisher
- IOP Publishing
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105046816811
- ISSN
- 1748-0221
- DOI
- 10.1088/1748-0221/21/08/P08004
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 54c6be98-3549-4ee5-9600-e79aec400103
- date added to LUP
- 2026-09-10 15:48:27
- date last changed
- 2026-09-10 15:48:51
@article{54c6be98-3549-4ee5-9600-e79aec400103,
abstract = {{<p>The sensitivity of Ramsey interferometry experiments is governed by the interplay between the beam phase-space distribution and the magnetic field environment through which the spins propagate. Quantitative optimisation thus requires a consistent treatment of optics, magnetics and spin dynamics. We present a simulation framework that enables such an analysis by combining neutron optics simulations in McStas, magnetic field modelling in COMSOL and spin-dynamics simulation in the new RamseyProp program. We describe how important experimental parameters such as adiabaticity, flip angle distributions and Ramsey fringe contrast can be studied. The code is being applied to design an experiment to search for axion-like particles at the European Spallation Source (ESS). We examine how the pulsed time structure of the ESS can be exploited to perform Ramsey interferometry on a broad neutron velocity spectrum. In the absence of velocity or timing restrictions, the standard deviation of the spin flip angle at zero detuning can be reduced from 0.67 to 0.17 radians using time-dependent amplitude modulation. Similarly, the phase sensitivity can be improved by a factor ∼ 4 for a 10 m long setup starting 15 m from the ESS moderator.</p>}},
author = {{Persson, Linus B. and Fierlinger, Peter and Holl, Matthias and Santoro, Valentina}},
issn = {{1748-0221}},
keywords = {{Analysis and statistical methods; Instrumentation for neutron sources; Simulation methods and programs}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{8}},
publisher = {{IOP Publishing}},
series = {{Journal of Instrumentation}},
title = {{A simulation framework for Ramsey interferometry}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/21/08/P08004}},
doi = {{10.1088/1748-0221/21/08/P08004}},
volume = {{21}},
year = {{2026}},
}