Student handout: Intro to Stern-Gerlach Experiments 1

Quantum Fundamentals 2021
Students become acquainted with the Spins Simulations of Stern-Gerlach Experiments and record measurement probabilities of spin components for a spin-1/2 system. Students start developing intuitions for the results of quantum measurements for this system.

Getting Acquainted with the Stern Gerlach Experiment Simulation


  1. Measure a single particle's z-component of spin \(S_z\)

    1. The default experiment is to measure \(S_x\) so we need to change the orientation of the analyzer.

      Change the orientation of the analyzer by clicking on “\(X\)” label and selecting “\(Z\)”.

    2. To send 1 particle through the experiment, click on the box labeled “1” on the oven (the green box on the left). Each measurement result will either be \(S_z=\frac{+\hbar}{2}\) or \(S_z=\frac{-\hbar}{2}\). Do this several times.

      Do you notice any patterns?

    3. Try sending 10,000 atoms through the experiment.

    4. Try sending atoms continuously by pressing the “Start” button.

      What are you noticing about these experiments?

  2. Do some experimenting and determine the probability that a particle leaving the oven will end up in the top counter. How confident are you in your estimate?

Keywords
Quantum Measurement Spin-1/2 Systems Stern-Gerlach Experiments Quantum Mechanics
Learning Outcomes