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Open Quantum Systems Decoherence Quantum Simulation

Can a spin-half particle ever give more than two spots in a Stern-Gerlach experiment? - the subtle physics of effective Hamiltonians

arXiv

Authors: Noah Linden, Sandu Popescu, Anthony J. Short

Year

2026

Paper ID

68066

Status

Preprint

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~2 min

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Abstract

We show that a spin-1/2 particle can behave as if it were spin-s, and generate 2s+1 spots in a Stern Gerlach measurement (albeit with a smaller gyromagnetic ratio). This arises from some subtle properties of effective Hamiltonians and Hamiltonians with constraints. Examples of implications of the effect in condensed matter are discussed. We also give some simple non-perturbative bounds for a system subjected to strong constraints.

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We show that a spin-1/2 particle can behave as if it were spin-s, and generate 2s+1 spots in a Stern Gerlach measurement (albeit with a smaller gyromagnetic ratio).

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References & Citation Signals

[1] DOI https://doi.org/arXiv:2605.31435 [2] arXiv https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.31435 [3] Publisher https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.31435

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External citation index: OpenAlex citation signal • updated 2026-06-14 05:21:06

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