Quantum Interference of Force

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that quantum interference can cause particles to receive an average momentum transfer opposite to an applied force, revealing a non-classical behavior with potential experimental verification.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum interference effect where particles experience negative average momentum transfer under specific conditions.

Findings

Particles can receive negative average momentum transfer.

Quantum interference enables non-classical force effects.

Experimental schemes are proposed for verification.

Abstract

We show that a quantum particle subjected to a positive force in one path of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a null force in the other path may receive a negative average momentum transfer when it leaves the interferometer by a particular exit. In this scenario, an ensemble of particles may receive an average momentum in the opposite direction of the applied force due to quantum interference, a behavior with no classical analogue. We discuss some experimental schemes that could verify the effect with current technology, with electrons or neutrons in Mach-Zehnder interferometers in free space and with atoms from a Bose-Einstein condensate.