Atomic interferometry using stimulated Raman transitions
Abstract
The mechanical effects of stimulated Raman transitions on atoms have been used to demonstrate a matter-wave interferometer with laser-cooled sodium atoms. Interference has been observed for wave packets that have been separated by as much as 2.4 mm. Using the interferometer as an inertial sensor, the acceleration of a sodium atom due to gravity has been measured with a resolution of 3×10-6 after 1000 sec of integration time.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- July 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.67.181
- Bibcode:
- 1991PhRvL..67..181K
- Keywords:
-
- Atomic Beams;
- Interferometry;
- Raman Spectra;
- Sodium;
- Wave-Particle Interactions;
- Electron Transitions;
- Particle Acceleration;
- Wave Packets;
- Atomic and Molecular Physics;
- 32.80.Pj;
- 07.60.Ly;
- 35.80.+s;
- 42.50.Vk;
- Optical cooling of atoms;
- trapping;
- Interferometers;
- Mechanical effects of light on atoms molecules electrons and ions