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arXiv:2511.12681 · AVS Quantum Science

The role of interaction in matter wave optics with motional states

RuGway Wu, Maximilian Prüfer, Jörg Schmiedmayer

cond-mat.quant-gasquant-phSubmitted Nov 16, 2025• Announced Nov 18, 2025• 0 citations
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Abstract

Matter-wave optics is often viewed as a linear analogue of photonics, where noninteracting particles are coherently split, diffracted, and recombined, and interference arises from single-particle coherence. In ultracold quantum gases, however, interactions are intrinsic and can rival or exceed kinetic and optical energy scales. This drives matter-wave optics into a nonlinear regime: diffraction and momentum distributions become interaction-dependent, interference contrast degrades or collapses, and revival dynamics appear. In the mean time, interactions can generate squeezing and entanglement, enabling sensitivities beyond the standard quantum limit. We showcase representative examples - covering diffraction, splitting, and interferometry - that illustrate how interactions reshape the basic elements of matter-wave optics and open new opportunities for nonlinear quantum technologies.

Comments
10page, 8 figures

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Matter-wave optics is often viewed as a linear analogue of photonics, where noninteracting particles are coherently split, diffracted, and recombined, and interference arises from single-particle coherence. In ultracold quantum gases, however, interactions are intrinsic and can rival or exceed kinetic and optical energy scales. This drives matter-wave optics into a nonlinear regime: diffraction and momentum distributions become interaction-dependent, interference contrast degrades or collapses, and revival dynamics appear. In the mean time, interactions can generate squeezing and entanglement, enabling sensitivities beyond the standard quantum limit. We showcase representative examples - covering diffraction, splitting, and interferometry - that illustrate how interactions reshape the basic elements of matter-wave optics and open new opportunities for nonlinear quantum technologies.
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All objects in the universe simultaneously present microscopic properties of waves and particles. This basic concept of quantum mechanics is at the origin of matter wave optics and interferometry, where beams of atoms can diffract and interfere. There is even today coherent sources (laser) with atoms. These tools enable us to develop devices that simulate the phenomena of electronic conduction in semiconductors, or build highly sensitive instruments that could, for example, test the laws of universal gravitation. The lecture will present recent scientific progress obtained with these tools towards these directions.
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