An interferometer for atoms
Abstract
We have demonstrated an interferometer for atoms. A three-grating geometry is used, in which the interfering beams are distinctly separated in both position and momentum. We used a highly collimated beam of sodium atoms with a de Broglie wavelength of 16 pm and high-quality 0.4-μm-period free-standing gratings which we fabricated using a novel method. The interference signal is 70 counts/s, which allows us to determine the phase to 0.1 rad in 1 min. Applications of atom interferometers are briefly discussed.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- May 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.66.2693
- Bibcode:
- 1991PhRvL..66.2693K
- Keywords:
-
- Atomic Beams;
- Interferometers;
- Sodium;
- Collimation;
- Supersonic Nozzles;
- Atomic and Molecular Physics;
- 07.60.Ly;
- 35.10.-d;
- 42.10.Jd;
- Interferometers