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arXiv:2602.00365

Fundamental Limits of Large Momentum Transfer in Optical Lattices

Ashkan Alibabaei, Patrik Mönkeberg, Florian Fitzek, Michael Werner, Alexandre Gauguet, Baptiste Allard, Klemens Hammerer, Naceur Gaaloul

physics.atom-phquant-phSubmitted Jan 30, 2026• Announced Feb 3, 2026• 0 citations• Revised May 19, 2026 (v2)
v1 · Jan 30, 2026v2 · May 19, 2026
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Abstract

Large-momentum-transfer techniques are instrumental for the next generation of atom interferometers as they significantly improve their sensitivity. State-of-the-art implementations rely on elastic scattering processes from optical lattices such as Bloch oscillations or sequential Bragg diffraction, but their performance is constrained by imperfect pulse efficiencies. Here we develop a Floquet-based theoretical framework that provides a unified description of elastic light-atom scattering across all relevant regimes. Within this formalism, we identify practical regimes that exhibit orders of magnitude reduced losses and improved phase accuracy compared to previous implementations. The model's validity is established through direct comparison with numerical solutions of the Schrödinger equation and through quantitative agreement with recent experimental benchmark results. These findings delineate previously unexplored operating regimes for large momentum transfer beam splitters and open new perspectives for precision atom-interferometric measurements in fundamental physics, gravity gradiometry or gravitational wave detection.

Comments
6 pages, 4 figures

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The effective control of atomic coherence with cold atoms has made atom interferometry an essential tool for quantum sensors and precision measurements. The performance of these interferometers is closely related to the operation of large wave packet separations. We present here a novel approach for atomic beam splitters based on the stroboscopic stabilization of quantum states in an accelerated optical lattice. The corresponding Floquet state is generated by optimal control protocols. In this way, we demonstrate an unprecedented Large Momentum Transfer (LMT) interferometer, with a momentum separation of 600 photon recoils (600 ℏk) between its two arms. Each LMT beam splitter is realized in a remarkably short time (2 ms) and is highly robust against the initial velocity dispersion of the wave packet and lattice depth fluctuations. Our study shows that Floquet engineering is a promising tool for exploring new frontiers in quantum physics at large scales, with applications in quantum sensing and testing fundamental physics. Large-scale atom interferometers enable precise measurements of fundamental constants and novel sensors. This study uses Floquet formalism to create an optimal transported state, resulting in an efficient large-momentum-transfer interferometer, advancing largescale interferometers.
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