Experimental realization of matter wave circuits

Luigi Amico A, Dana Anderson, M. G. Boshier +4 more

Atomtronics is an emerging field that aims to manipulate ultracold atom moving in matter wave circuits for both fundamental studies in quantum science and technological applications. In this colloquium, we review recent progress in matter-wave circuitry and atomtronics-based quantum technology. After a short introduction to the basic physical principles and the key experimental techniques needed to realize atomtronic systems, we describe the physics of matter-waves in simple circuits such as ring traps and two-terminal systems. The main experimental observations and outstanding questions are discussed. We also present possible applications to a broad range of quantum technologies, from quantum sensing with atom interferometry to future quantum simulation and quantum computation architectures.

P. G. Kevrekidis, D. J. Frantzeskakis, R. Carretero-González

Sebastian Pedalino, Bruno E. Ramírez-Galindo, Tomás Sousa +4 more

We discuss recent advances towards matter-wave interference experiments with free beams of metallic and dielectric nanoparticles. They require a brilliant source, an efficient detection scheme and a coherent method to divide the de Broglie waves associated with these clusters: We describe an approach based on a magnetron sputtering source which ejects an intense cluster beam with a wide mass dispersion but a small velocity spread of Δv/v < 10%. The source is universal as it can be used with all conducting and many semiconducting or even insulating materials. Here we focus on metals and dielectrics with a low work function of the bulk and thus a low cluster ionization energy. This allows us to realize photoionization gratings as coherent matter-wave beam splitters and also to realize an efficient ionization detection scheme. These new methods are now combined in an upgraded Talbot-Lau interferometer with three 266 nm depletion gratings. We here describe the experimental boundary conditions and how to realize them in the lab. This next generation of near-field interferometers shall allow us to soon push the limits of matter-wave interference to masses up to 106 amu.

Mingjiamei Zhang, Jonathan Trisnadi, Cheng Chin

F. S. Cataliotti, C. Fort, M. Inguscio

The experimental realization of Bose-Einstein condensates in dilute alkali gases has opened up the possibility to perform time and space domain interferometry with coherent matter waves. We have exploited different configurations realizing coherent matter wave interferometers: in a first set of exeperiments we create a twofold condensate sample investigating the interplay between internal and external degrees of freedom in the matter wave analogous of a Young diffraction experiment. In a second experimental arrangement we produce a one dimensional array of condensates in an optical lattice. Upon release from the optical lattice the condensates are made to interfere, the resulting interference pattern, this time analogous to an optical diffraction grating, is used to extract information about static and dynamical properties of the sample.

Solomon Budnik