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Soviet Journal of Quantum Electronics

High-resolution high-contrast excitation of calcium in separated fields

J. Helmcke, M. Gläser, F. Riehle, Atsuo Morinaga, J J Snyder

Published Jun 30, 1988• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

A procedure is suggested for compensating the broadening due to the quadratic Doppler effect and for band shifts caused by phase mismatch in the observation of a Ramsey signal in an atomic calcium beam. The relative error in the frequency stabilized by this method is estimated to be 2 × 10 − 12 .
DOI
10.1070/qe1988v018n06abeh012285

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I describe the construction of a calcium matter-wave interferometer. The interferometer is based on a Ramsey-Borde scheme, and uses a thermal beam of atoms excited by an optical-frequency transition in calcium. In our experiment four pi/2 pulses of light are delivered to the atoms, which split and recombine the wave functions of the atoms. Our experimental design minimizes first-order Doppler shifts, and allows for the cancellation of systematic errors including phase shifts due to rotation and acceleration. I describe the individual components of the interferometer and its assembly. The requirements for the electronics used in the experiment as well as their design and performance are described in great detail. I also give an overview of the techniques used to passively stabilize the laser and optical components. Finally, I report on the current status of the experiment as well as detail future work to be done on the apparatus.