Magneto-electric momentum transfer to atoms and molecules

TL;DR

This paper reports the first experimental observation of mechanical momentum transfer to atoms and molecules via crossed electric and magnetic fields, identifying it as an Abraham force analogue and exploring related predictions.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental evidence of magneto-electric momentum transfer to microscopic particles and examines related theoretical predictions.

Findings

Confirmed the transfer of mechanical momentum consistent with the Abraham force

Refuted the prediction involving quantum vacuum interaction

Identified other predicted effects are below current detection limits

Abstract

We report the first observation of mechanical momentum transferred to atoms and molecules upon application of crossed electric and magnetic fields. We identify this momentum as the microscopic analogue of the classical Abraham force. Several predictions of additional magneto-electrically induced mechanical momentum are addressed. One of them, proposed to result from the interaction with the quantum vacuum, is experimentally refuted, others are found to be currently below experimental detection.