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AIP conference proceedings

Coherent beam splitters and mirrors for atom interferometry

V. I. Balykin, O. Carnal, Claus Heine, Tilman Pfau, W. Seifert, Tycho Sleator, J. Mlynek

Published Jan 1, 1993• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The key elements for atom interferometers are atomic beam splitters and recombiners. An atomic beam splitter separates a single atomic wave function into a superposition state corresponding to two center of mass wavepackets that propagate in different spatial directions and a recombiner reunites the atomic beams. We report here on the investigation of 1) an atomic beam splitter with large separation angle based on the optical Stern Gerlach effect, 2) an atomic mirror based on the reflection of atoms by different types of evanescent waves (a simple evanescent wave and a surface plasmon wave), 3) an atomic beam splitter realized by the partial spatial reflection of an atom by an evanescent wave and 4) diffraction of atoms by a standing evanescent wave.

DOI
10.1063/1.45084

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The key elements for atom interferometers are atomic beam splitters and recombiners. An atomic beam splitter separates a single atomic wave function into a superposition state corresponding to two center of mass wavepackets that propagate in different spatial directions and a recombiner reunites the atomic beams. We report here on the investigation of 1) an atomic beam splitter with large separation angle based on the optical Stern Gerlach effect, 2) an atomic mirror based on the reflection of atoms by different types of evanescent waves (a simple evanescent wave and a surface plasmon wave), 3) an atomic beam splitter realized by the partial spatial reflection of an atom by an evanescent wave and 4) diffraction of atoms by a standing evanescent wave.
In this paper we review techniques to coherently split an atomic beam using the dipole force. We discuss the interaction of atoms with normal standing wave light field in the context of atomic beam splitters. The case where the atom enters the standing wave at a small angle such that Bragg diffraction and velocity selective resonances are observed is also considered. An alternative approach to realize a coherent beam splitter based on the optical Stern‐Gerlach effect is discussed. Finally we consider the interaction of atoms with a magneto‐optical potential formed by a polarization gradient light field and a static magnetic field. We show that the Stern‐Gerlach effect and the magneto‐optical potential produce a more effective beam splitting into states with high transverse momentum than diffraction from a normal standing wave.
A novel atomic beam splitter, using reflection of atoms off an evanescent light wave, is investigated theoretically. The intensity or frequency of the light is modulated in order to create sidebands on the reflected de Broglie wave. The weights and phases of the various sidebands are calculated using three different approaches: the Born approximation, a semiclassical path integral approach, and a numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. We show how this modulated mirror could be used to build practical atomic interferometers.
A novel atomic beam splitter, using reflection of atoms off an evanescent light wave, is investigated theoretically. The intensity or frequency of the light is modulated in order to create sidebands on the reflected de Broglie wave. The weights and phases of the various sidebands are calculated using three different approaches: the Born approximation, a semiclassical path integral approach, and a numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. We show how this modulated mirror could be used to build practical atomic interferometers.
Atom interferometry allows for new precision limits in measurement and a key component of it is the beam-splitter. In this thesis we look at the properties of an all optical beam-splitter, which is created by the overlap of two Gaussian laser beams,which also function as waveguides for the Bose-Einstein condensate. For this mainly the split step Fourier method is used to model the propagation of a low density Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms. The two main areas of interest are the splitting and recombination properties. \nThe splitting is studied both in two and one dimensions. For the one-dimensional case both standing and propagating waves are used to find the ideal splitting conditions of a balanced splitting and transmission. The result of these methods are in general agreement with the exception that for the propagating wave some of the atoms can become localised inside the beam-splitter. For the propagation it was found that the splitting is not perfectly coherent as the outputs are slightly deformed. However, when looking at the two-dimensional case we see that the splitting is not even close to being coherent. This is because the beam-splitter excites the incoming wave into higher transverse modes of the waveguides. To compensate for this the depth of the waveguides was lowered and the width narrowed to reduce the potential kinetic energy that the atoms could acquire and to increase the separation between the eigenstates to lower the probability of excitation into higher modes, respectively. Nonetheless, these investigations improved the splitting balance but it is still not coherent. Another method investigated was the introduction of a third laser which acts as a filling to reduce the depth of the potential well where the lasers generate the beam-splitter. This approach does not improve the splitting. \nHence instead of recombining single mode waves we used a multimode approach. For this we found that the mirror position is crucial for certain parameters as the longitudinal momentum is not necessarily the same in the reflection and transmission waveguide. Our investigations have generated interference fringes in this model \nsystem with a fractional height up to 33%.
Atom interferometry, in which atomic waves are coherently split and later recombined, has been called the Swiss Army knife of atomic physics because of its numerous applications [1]. Atom interferometers can be used to study gravity, observe quantum effects, and measure fundamental constants. However, the spitting of atomic beams has always been a challenging task. Several beam splitters for atoms have been developed over the years, many of which rely on complex, high-powered lasers whose photons collide with atoms to steer them along separate beam paths. Paul Hamilton and colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, have built a more versatile beam splitter by using, for the first time, an optical cavity [2]. Laser pulses bounce back and forth inside the cavity, increasing the effective power in standing waves of light and reducing imperfections in the wave fronts. The light concentration within the cavity allows the use of common low-powered lasers for the initial pulses. The new design may lead to a universal atom interferometer with optical gratings that works with a wide range of atomic species.