Coherent beam–foil excitation of 2s_1/2and 2p_1/2states of hydrogen and antihydrogen atoms in an external electric field

Abstract

A beam–foil experiment is proposed for observation of a phase shift π in a beat intensity of light emitted by hydrogen and antihydrogen atoms in an external electric field. This effect is based on the existence of the terms linear in the electric field in the expression for the radiation probability of an atom. The linear terms have an opposite sign for hydrogen and antihydrogen atoms and lead to such a difference in a beat signal. Experimental conditions for observation of this effect are discussed.