No Arabic abstract
We propose new multi-dimensional atom optics that can create coherent superpositions of atomic wavepackets along three spatial directions. These tools can be used to generate light-pulse atom interferometers that are simultaneously sensitive to the three components of acceleration and rotation, and we discuss how to isolate these inertial components in a single experimental shot. We also present a new type of atomic gyroscope that is insensitive to parasitic accelerations and initial velocities. The ability to measure the full acceleration and rotation vectors with a compact, high-precision, low-bias inertial sensor could strongly impact the fields of inertial navigation, gravity gradiometry, and gyroscopy.
We propose a tractor atom interferometer (TAI) based on three-dimensional (3D) confinement and transport of split atomic wavefunction components in potential wells that follow programmed paths. The paths are programmed to split and recombine atomic wavefunctions at well-defined space-time points, guaranteeing closure of the interferometer. Uninterrupted 3D confinement of the interfering wavefunction components in the tractor wells eliminates coherence loss due to wavepacket dispersion. Using Crank-Nicolson simulation of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, we compute the quantum evolution of scalar and spinor wavefunctions in several TAI sample scenarios. The interferometric phases extracted from the wavefunctions allow us to quantify gravimeter sensitivity, for the TAI scenarios studied. We show that spinor-TAI supports matter-wave beam splitters that are more robust against non-adiabatic effects than their scalar-TAI counterparts. We confirm the validity of semiclassical path-integral phases taken along the programmed paths of the TAI. Aspects for future experimental realizations of TAI are discussed.
We have studied the interference of degenerate quantum gases in a vertical optical lattice. The coherence of the atoms leads to an interference pattern when the atoms are released from the lattice. This has been shown for a Bose-Einstein condensate in early experiments. Here we demonstrate that also for fermions an interference pattern can be observed provided that the momentum distribution is smaller then the recoil momentum of the lattice. Special attention is given to the role of interactions which wash out the interference pattern for a condensate but do not affect a spin polarized Fermi gas, where collisions at ultra cold temperatures are forbidden. Comparing the interference of the two quantum gases we find a clear superiority of fermions for trapped atom interferometry.
We show that light-pulse atom interferometry with atomic point sources and spatially resolved detection enables multi-axis (two rotation, one acceleration) precision inertial sensing at long interrogation times. Using this method, we demonstrate a light-pulse atom interferometer for Rb-87 with 1.4 cm peak wavepacket separation and a duration of 2T = 2.3 seconds. The inferred acceleration sensitivity of each shot is 6.7 * 10^(-12) g, which improves on previous limits by more than two orders of magnitude. We also measure the Earths rotation rate with a precision of 200 nrad/s.
Cold-atom inertial sensors target several applications in navigation, geoscience and tests of fundamental physics. Reaching high sampling rates and high inertial sensitivities, obtained with long interrogation times, represents a challenge for these applications. We report on the interleaved operation of a cold-atom gyroscope, where 3 atomic clouds are interrogated simultaneously in an atom interferometer featuring a 3.75 Hz sampling rate and an interrogation time of 801 ms. Interleaving improves the inertial sensitivity by efficiently averaging vibration noise, and allows us to perform dynamic rotation measurements in a so-far unexplored range. We demonstrate a stability of $3times 10^{-10}$ rad.s$^{-1}$, which competes with the best stability levels obtained with fiber-optics gyroscopes. Our work validates interleaving as a key concept for future atom-interferometry sensors probing time-varying signals, as in on-board navigation and gravity-gradiometry, searches for dark matter, or gravitational wave detection.
This is a pre-publication version of a forthcoming book on quantum atom optics. It is written as a senior undergraduate to junior graduate level textbook, assuming knowledge of basic quantum mechanics, and covers the basic principles of neutral atom matter wave systems with an emphasis on quantum technology applications. The topics covered include: introduction to second quantization of many-body systems, Bose-Einstein condensation, the order parameter and Gross-Pitaevskii equation, spin dynamics of atoms, spinor Bose-Einstein condensates, atom diffraction, atomic interferometry beyond the standard limit, quantum simulation, squeezing and entanglement with atomic ensembles, quantum information with atomic ensembles. This book would suit students who wish to obtain the necessary skills for working with neutral atom many-body atomic systems, or could be used as a text for an undergraduate or graduate level course (exercises are included throughout). This is a near-final draft of the book, but inevitably errors may be present. If any errors are found, we welcome you to contact us and it will be corrected before publication. (TB: tim.byrnes[at]nyu.edu, EI: ebube[at]nyu.edu)