Abstract
We present two novel matter-wave Sagnac interferometers based on ring-shaped time-averaged adiabatic potentials, where the atoms are put into a superposition of two different spin states and manipulated independently using elliptically polarized rf-fields. In the first interferometer the atoms are accelerated by spin-state-dependent forces and then travel around the ring in a matter-wave guide. In the second one the atoms are fully trapped during the entire interferometric sequence and are moved around the ring in two spin-state-dependent ‘buckets’. Corrections to the ideal Sagnac phase are investigated for both cases. We experimentally demonstrate the key atom-optical elements of the interferometer such as the independent manipulation of two different spin states in the ring-shaped potentials under identical experimental conditions.
Highlights
We study a guided clock-type interferometer based on ultracold thermal atoms or Bose-Einstein Condensates (BECs) in time-averaged adiabatic
The time-averaged adiabatic potentials (TAAP) waveguides are formed by rf-dressing of atoms in a quadrupole field generated by large coils rather than from shaping electrical currents using wires
There are two principle options to move the atoms around the ring interferometer: a) the atoms are subjected to an initial statedependent acceleration and propagate freely in a TAAP matter-wave guide the static or dynamic accelerator rings described below or b) the atoms are fully confined in three dimensions using the moving buckets of section 3.3.2
Summary
Since its first demonstration about 20 years ago [1, 2, 3, 4] atom interferometry is one of the most sensitive and accurate forms of inertial sensing. We study a guided clock-type interferometer based on ultracold thermal atoms or Bose-Einstein Condensates (BECs) in time-averaged adiabatic. The clock frequency must not depend on the exact magnitude of the external fields, secondly the transport of the cloud has to be adiabatic, thirdly lifetime of all states involved must be large compared to the duration of the interferometer sequence. It is not clear at this point, whether thermal or Bose-condensed atoms are the best choice for this type of interferometer.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have