Matter-Wave Interferometry with Laser Cooled Atoms
Abstract
This program is investigating matter wave interferometry with laser cooled atoms. A slow beam of laser cooled rubidium atoms will be used as the matter wave source. The atom optical elements are microfabricated amplitude transmission gratings which will be used in a three-grating interferometer to split and recombine the rubidium beam. The interferometer will be a useful new tool for precision atomic physics and a sensitive inertial sensor. The principal tasks in this research program are production of a laser cooled rubidium atomic beam, fabrication of submicron amplitude transmission gratings, and construction and testing of the atomic interferometer. Several technical issues must be addressed in each task. The atomic beam must have high brightness to ensure adequate signal to noise ratio and a low temperature to ensure a long coherence length. The gratings must be phase coherent over their area so that the interferometer fringes are not washed out. The interferometer must be vibration isolated so that the fringes do not move appreciably during the signal integration time.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA253999
Entities
People
- David McIntyre
Organizations
- Oregon State University