Atom Wave Interferometer
Abstract
Atom interferometers, in which atom or molecular de Broglie waves are coherently split and then recombined to produce interference fringes, have opened up exciting new possibilities for precision and fundamental measurements with complex particles. The MIT interferometer in particular also permits a new form of spectroscopy as it is the only demonstrated interferometer with spatially separated interfering paths, thus allowing the insertion of a barrier between them and permitting the observation of changes in the interference pattern as one of the paths is exposed to some interaction. Several major experiments have been performed on a variety of topics underscoring the versatility and usefulness of our interferometer. These include atomic and molecular interferometry, fundamental tests of quantum coherences, precise (0.4 percent) sodium atomic polarizability measurements, measurements of the index of refraction and the velocity dispersion of matter waves, near field imaging (atomic Talbot effect), a new velocity selection scheme for precision measurements, and the demonstration of the atom interferometer's extreme sensitivity to rotations (comparable to the best commercially available laser gyros).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA342057
Entities
People
- David E. Pritchard
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology