A Simulation Framework for Ramsey Interferometry

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Persson, Linus B., Fierlinger, Peter, Holl, Matthias, Santoro, Valentina
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Persson, Linus B.
Fierlinger, Peter
Holl, Matthias
Santoro, Valentina
author_facet Persson, Linus B.
Fierlinger, Peter
Holl, Matthias
Santoro, Valentina
contents 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 of 4 for a 10 m long setup starting 15 m from the ESS moderator.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_24049
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Simulation Framework for Ramsey Interferometry
Persson, Linus B.
Fierlinger, Peter
Holl, Matthias
Santoro, Valentina
Instrumentation and Detectors
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 of 4 for a 10 m long setup starting 15 m from the ESS moderator.
title A Simulation Framework for Ramsey Interferometry
topic Instrumentation and Detectors
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24049