We report the realization of a matter-wave interferometer based on Raman transitions which simultaneously interrogates two different atomic species ( ${}^{87}$ Rb and ${}^{85}$ Rb). The simultaneous aspect of our experiment presents encouraging preliminary results for future dual-species atom interferometry projects and seems very promising by taking advantage of a differential acceleration measurement. Indeed, the resolution of our differential accelerometer remains lower than $3.9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\text{g}$ even with vibration levels up to $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\text{g}$ thanks to common-mode vibration noise rejection. An atom-based test of the weak equivalence principle has also been carried out leading to a differential free fall measurement between both isotopes of $\ensuremath{\Delta}g/g=(1.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$.We report the realization of a matter-wave interferometer based on Raman transitions which simultaneously interrogates two different atomic species (${}^{87}$Rb and ${}^{85}$Rb). The simultaneous aspect of our experiment presents encouraging preliminary results for future dual-species atom interferometry projects and seems very promising by taking advantage of a differential acceleration measurement. Indeed, the resolution of our differential accelerometer remains lower than $3.9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\text{g}$ even with vibration levels up to $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\text{g}$ thanks to common-mode vibration noise rejection. An atom-based test of the weak equivalence principle has also been carried out leading to a differential free fall measurement between both isotopes of $\ensuremath{\Delta}g/g=(1.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$.

arXiv:1307.2734Physical Review AOct 11, 2013175 citations

Macroscopic Matter Wave Interferometry

Stefan Nimmrichter

Springer thesesJan 1, 201427 citations

We report the realization of a matter-wave interferometer based on Raman transitions which simultaneously interrogates two different atomic species (

{}^{87}

Rb and

{}^{85}

Rb). The simultaneous aspect of our experiment presents encouraging preliminary results for future dual-species atom interferometry projects and seems very promising by taking advantage of a differential acceleration measurement. Indeed, the resolution of our differential accelerometer remains lower than $3.9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\text{g}$ even with vibration levels up to $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\text{g}$ thanks to common-mode vibration noise rejection. An atom-based test of the weak equivalence principle has also been carried out leading to a differential free fall measurement between both isotopes of $\ensuremath{\Delta}g/g=(1.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$.