Atom Wave Interferometers

Abstract

Matter wave interferometers, in which de Broglie waves are coherently split and then recombined to produce interference fringes, have opened exciting new possibilities for precision and fundamental measurements with complex particles. The aim of our research program is to extend the ideas and techniques of atom optics and atom interferometry which underlie atom interferometers, to use these devices to make qualitatively new and/or more precise measurements in atomic physics, and to perform fundamental experiments in quantum mechanics based on our ability to measure interactions that displace the de Broglie wave phase or change the quantum coherence of the beams (reducing the amplitude of the interference pattern).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 30, 1999
Accession Number
ADA385249

Entities

People

  • David E. Pritchard

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Amplitude
  • Atomic Beams
  • Inertial Navigation
  • Inertial Navigation Systems
  • Interferometers
  • Interferometry
  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Navigation
  • Optics
  • Particles
  • Photolithography
  • Physics
  • Precision
  • Quantum Mechanics

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Quantum Computing