Abstract
The sensitivity of atom interferometers is usually limited by the observation time of a free falling cloud of atoms in Earth’s gravitational field. Considerable efforts are currently made to increase this observation time, e.g. in fountain experiments, drop towers and in space. In this article, we experimentally study and discuss the use of magnetic levitation for interferometric precision measurements. We employ a Bose–Einstein condensate of cesium atoms with tuneable interaction and a Michelson interferometer scheme for the detection of micro-g acceleration. In addition, we demonstrate observation times of 1s, which are comparable to current drop-tower experiments, we study the curvature of our force field, and we observe the effects of a phase-shifting element in the interferometer paths.
Highlights
Precision measurements with matter waves have shown tremendous advances over the last decades
The interference pattern depends on the accumulated phase shift of the wave packets during the independent evolution, and the measured quantity is typically inferred from the shape and time evolution of the pattern
We study the advantages and limitations of magnetic levitation for matter wave interferometry with the motional states of Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs), and we demonstrate that magnetic levitation can be employed to reach an expansion time of 1s, which is comparable to current drop-tower experiments [12]
Summary
Commons Attribution 3.0 of atoms in Earth’s gravitational field. Considerable efforts are currently made to increase this licence. Observation time, e.g. in fountain experiments, drop towers and in space. We employ a Bose–Einstein condensate of cesium atoms with tuneable interaction the work, journal citation and a Michelson interferometer scheme for the detection of micro-g acceleration. Demonstrate observation times of 1s, which are comparable to current drop-tower experiments, we study the curvature of our force field, and we observe the effects of a phase-shifting element in the interferometer paths
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