Quantum backflow refers to the appearance of negative probability current in a state whose momentum distribution is essentially positive. We propose a scheme to prepare such states in a noninteracting Bose-Einstein condensate using large-momentum-transfer (LMT) atom interferometry. Our approach extends the single-pulse proposal of Palmero et al. by allowing one interferometer arm to undergo a tunable sequence of momentum-transfer pulses before recombination with a freely propagating arm. For realistic parameters for Sr-88, the protocol generates interference states with tunable probability current and negligible negative-momentum contamination. We evaluate both the probability current and the critical-density criterion introduced by Palmero et al., and identify parameter regimes in which the backflow signature is enhanced relative to the single-pulse scheme. These results present LMT interferometry as a flexible route for preparing candidate quantum-backflow states in cold-atom experiments.
Quantum backflow refers to the appearance of negative probability current in a state whose momentum distribution is essentially positive. We propose a scheme to prepare such states in a noninteracting Bose-Einstein condensate using large-momentum-transfer (LMT) atom interferometry. Our approach extends the single-pulse proposal of Palmero et al. by allowing one interferometer arm to undergo a tunable sequence of momentum-transfer pulses before recombination with a freely propagating arm. For realistic parameters for Sr-88, the protocol generates interference states with tunable probability current and negligible negative-momentum contamination. We evaluate both the probability current and the critical-density criterion introduced by Palmero et al., and identify parameter regimes in which the backflow signature is enhanced relative to the single-pulse scheme. These results present LMT interferometry as a flexible route for preparing candidate quantum-backflow states in cold-atom experiments.
Quantum backflow is a classically forbidden effect consisting of a negative flux for states with negligible negative-momentum components. It has never been observed experimentally so far. We derive a general relation that connects backflow with a critical value of the particle density, paving the way for the detection of backflow by a density measurement. To this end, we propose an explicit scheme with Bose-Einstein condensates, at reach with current experimental technologies. Remarkably, the application of a positive-momentum kick, via a Bragg pulse, to a condensate with a positive velocity may cause a current flow in the negative direction.
We present a Raman atom interferometer using large momentum transfer without reversing the direction of the effective wave vector ( k -reversal). More specifically, we use a microwave π / 2 pulse to manipulate the spin state of Rb 87 atoms before applying a Raman light π pulse to achieve 4 ℏ k momentum transfer per Raman light pulse. A microwave π pulse in the middle of the interferometer sequence reverses the spin states, which allows closing of the interferometer arms by the same Raman light π pulses without propagation reversal. We present a proof-of-principle demonstration of a 4 ℏ k large-momentum-transfer (LMT) atom interferometer and discuss its scalability. Our results extend the scope of using LMT atom optics.
We present a cold-atom gravimeter operating with a sample of Bose-condensed 87Rb atoms. Using a Mach-Zehnder configuration with the two arms separated by a two-photon Bragg transition, we observe interference fringes with a visibility of ($83\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6$)% at T=3 ms. We exploit large momentum transfer (LMT) beam splitting to increase the enclosed space-time area of the interferometer using higher-order Bragg transitions and Bloch oscillations. We also compare fringes from condensed and thermal sources and observe a reduced visibility of ($58\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4$)% for the thermal source. We suspect the loss in visibility is caused partly by wave-front aberrations, to which the thermal source is more susceptible due to its larger transverse momentum spread. Finally, we discuss briefly the potential advantages of using a coherent atomic source for LMT, and we present a simple mean-field model to demonstrate that with currently available experimental parameters, interaction-induced dephasing will not limit the sensitivity of inertial measurements using freely falling, coherent atomic sources.
We report the first realization of large momentum transfer (LMT) clock atom interferometry. Using single-photon interactions on the strontium ^{1}S_{0}-^{3}P_{1} transition, we demonstrate Mach-Zehnder interferometers with state-of-the-art momentum separation of up to 141 ℏk and gradiometers of up to 81 ℏk. Moreover, we circumvent excited state decay limitations and extend the gradiometer duration to 50 times the excited state lifetime. Because of the broad velocity acceptance of the interferometry pulses, all experiments are performed with laser-cooled atoms at a temperature of 3 μK. This work has applications in high-precision inertial sensing and paves the way for LMT-enhanced clock atom interferometry on even narrower transitions, a key ingredient in proposals for gravitational wave detection and dark matter searches.
In its standard formulation, quantum backflow is a classically impossible phenomenon in which a free quantum particle in a positive-momentum state exhibits a negative probability current. Recently, Miller et al. [Quantum 5, 379 (2021)] have put forward a new, "experiment-friendly" formulation of quantum backflow that aims at extending the notion of quantum backflow to situations in which the particle's state may have both positive and negative momenta. Here, we investigate how the experiment-friendly formulation of quantum backflow compares to the standard one when applied to a free particle in a positive-momentum state. We show that the two formulations are not always compatible. We further identify a parametric regime in which the two formulations appear to be in qualitative agreement with one another.
This thesis contributes to the debate over the viability of using Bose-condensed sources to improve the sensitivity of atom interferometers. Specifically, we present theoretical investigations into (1) the effect of source momentum width on large momentum transfer (LMT) atom interferometry with Bragg pulses, and (2) the prospect of stabilising a high flux, narrow linewidth, continuously pumped atom laser via measurement-based feedback control of the BEC that forms the lasing mode of the atom laser. To begin, this thesis considers the effect of the atomic source's momentum width on the phase sensitivity of Bragg pulse atom interferometers in the Mach-Zehnder configuration. We show that an atomic cloud's momentum width places a fundamental upper bound on the maximum transfer efficiency of a Bragg mirror pulse, and furthermore limits the phase sensitivity of a Bragg pulse atom interferometer. We quantify these momentum width effects and precisely compute how mirror efficiencies and interferometer phase sensitivities vary as functions of Bragg order and source type. In particular, we show that narrow momentum width Bose-condensed sources give comparable sensitivities to broad momentum width thermal sources, even after incorporating the lower atom flux of Bose-condensed sources. Coupled with other favourable properties of Bose-condensed sources, such as their high tolerance to classical noise due to optical wavefront aberrations and the Coriolis effect, this suggests that LMT Bragg atom interferometry with Bose-condensed sources should yield improved sensitivities over current inertial sensors. Furthermore, our results and methodology allow for the efficient optimisation of Bragg pulses, which will help in the design of LMT Bragg mirrors and beamsplitters for atom-interferometer-based inertial sensors, irrespective of source type. In the second part of this thesis, we investigate the prospect of measurement-based feedback control of a BEC, with the aim of reducing density fluctuations by cooling the condensate to a stable spatial mode. Firstly, we consider the effects of experimental imperfections on the estimation-based feedback control of a weakly-interacting BEC undergoing continuous position measurement. These limitations violate the assumption that the estimator (i.e., filter) accurately models the underlying system, thus requiring a separate analysis of the system and filter dynamics. We show that the control scheme is robust to detector inefficiency, time delay, technical noise and miscalibrated parameters. These results imply that reasonable experimental imperfections do not limit the feasibility of cooling a BEC by continuous measurement and feedback. Secondly, we designed a feedback-control scheme for a trapped condensate, with interatomic interactions of any strength, based on a phase-contrast imaging setup. We derive the filtering equation for the system, and show that it gives a continuous measurement of the condensate's density. A semiclassical analysis of this control scheme shows that feedback-cooling of an interacting BEC is also possible, and that the interatomic interactions actually increase the effectiveness of the control. Therefore, measurement-based feedback control can stabilise the spatial mode of a BEC, which is a requirement for the high flux, narrow linewidth, continuously pumped atom laser sources that could potentially give inertial measurement sensitivities orders of magnitude beyond current state-of-the-art devices.