Advances in precision contrast interferometry with Yb Bose-Einstein condensates
Abstract
Using a three-path contrast interferometer (CI) geometry and laser-pulse diffraction gratings, we create the first matter-wave interferometer with ytterbium (Yb) atoms. We present advances in contrast interferometry relevant to high-precision measurements. By comparing to a traditional atom interferometer, we demonstrate the immunity of the CI to vibrations for long interaction times (> 20 ms). We characterize and demonstrate control over the two largest systematic effects for a high-precision measurement of the fine structure constant via photon recoil with our interferometer: diffraction phases and atomic interactions. Diffraction phases are an important systematic for most interferometers using large-momentum transfer beam splitters; atomic interactions are a key concern for any BEC interferometer. Finally, we consider the prospects for a future sub-part per billion photon recoil measurement using a Yb CI.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1404.6028,
title = {Advances in precision contrast interferometry with Yb Bose-Einstein condensates},
author = {Alan O. Jamison and Benjamin Plotkin-Swing and Subhadeep Gupta},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1404.6028},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
7 pages -- Reorganized and edited in response to review