Scientists have found a way to separate a particle from one of its physical properties by taking a beam of neutrons and separating them from their magnetic moment, creating what the researchers refer to as the quantum Cheshire Cat.
The observations came about in a matter-wave interferometer experiment. The Cheshire Cat analogy is derived from Lewis Caroll's children's classic, Alice in Wonderland, where the feline vanishes but leaves behind his cheeky grin.
Researchers from Vienna University of Technology say this could in principle be performed with any property of any quantum object.
The researchers describe their results in Nature Communications.