An interferometer for atoms

An interferometer for atoms has been demonstrated. A three-grating geometry is used, in which the interfering beams are distinctly separated in both position and momentum. A highly collimated beam of sodium atoms with a de Broglie wavelength of 16 pm and high-quality 0.4-micron-period free-standing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 1991-05, Vol.66 (21), p.2693-2696
Main Authors: KEITH, D. W, EKSTROM, C. R, TURCHETTE, Q. A, PRITCHARD, D. E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Exact sciences and technology
Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy
Other topics in instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy
Physics
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Summary:An interferometer for atoms has been demonstrated. A three-grating geometry is used, in which the interfering beams are distinctly separated in both position and momentum. A highly collimated beam of sodium atoms with a de Broglie wavelength of 16 pm and high-quality 0.4-micron-period free-standing gratings fabricated using a novel method was used. The interference signal is 70 counts/s, which allows the phase to be determined to 0.1 rad in 1 min. Applications of atom interferometers are briefly discussed. (Author)
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.66.2693