Interferometry with ultracold atoms promises the possibility of ultraprecise and ultrasensitive measurements in many fields of physics, and is the basis of our most precise atomic clocks. Key to a high sensitivity is the possibility to achieve long measurement times and precise readout. Ultracold atoms can be precisely manipulated at the quantum level and can be held for very long times in traps; they would therefore be an ideal setting for interferometry. In this paper, we discuss how the nonlinearities from atom–atom interactions, on the one hand, allow us to efficiently produce squeezed states for enhanced readout and, on the other hand, result in phase diffusion that limits the phase accumulation time. We find that low-dimensional geometries are favorable, with two-dimensional (2D) settings giving the smallest contribution of phase diffusion caused by atom–atom interactions. Even for time sequences generated by optimal control, the achievable minimal detectable interaction energy Δ E min is of the order of 10 −4 μ, where μ is the chemical potential of the Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) in the trap. From these we have to conclude that for more precise measurements with atom interferometers, more sophisticated strategies, or turning off the interaction-induced dephasing during the phase accumulation stage, will be necessary.Interferometry with ultracold atoms promises the possibility of ultraprecise and ultrasensitive measurements in many fields of physics, and is the basis of our most precise atomic clocks. Key to a high sensitivity is the possibility to achieve long measurement times and precise readout. Ultracold atoms can be precisely manipulated at the quantum level and can be held for very long times in traps; they would therefore be an ideal setting for interferometry. In this paper, we discuss how the nonlinearities from atom–atom interactions, on the one hand, allow us to efficiently produce squeezed states for enhanced readout and, on the other hand, result in phase diffusion that limits the phase accumulation time. We find that low-dimensional geometries are favorable, with two-dimensional (2D) settings giving the smallest contribution of phase diffusion caused by atom–atom interactions. Even for time sequences generated by optimal control, the achievable minimal detectable interaction energy Δ E min is of the order of 10 −4 μ, where μ is the chemical potential of the Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) in the trap. From these we have to conclude that for more precise measurements with atom interferometers, more sophisticated strategies, or turning off the interaction-induced dephasing during the phase accumulation stage, will be necessary.

arXiv:1002.0265New Journal of PhysicsJun 28, 201063 citations

Towards Atom Interferometry using Bose-Einstein Condensates

Charles A. Sackett

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyNov 11, 20050 citations

Time-orbiting potential trap for Bose-Einstein condensate interferometry

J. M. Reeves, Óscar Viyuela García, Benjamin Deissler +3 more

We describe an atom trap for Bose-Einstein condensates of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ to be used in atom interferometry experiments. The trap is based on a time-orbiting potential waveguide. It supports the atoms against gravity while providing weak confinement to minimize interaction effects. We observe harmonic oscillation frequencies $({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{x},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{y},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{z})$ as low as $2\ensuremath{\pi}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}(6.0,1.2,3.3)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$. Up to $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ condensate atoms have been loaded into the trap, at estimated temperatures as low as $850\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{pK}$ . We anticipate that interferometer measurement times of $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}$ or more should be achievable in this device.We describe an atom trap for Bose-Einstein condensates of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ to be used in atom interferometry experiments. The trap is based on a time-orbiting potential waveguide. It supports the atoms against gravity while providing weak confinement to minimize interaction effects. We observe harmonic oscillation frequencies $({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{x},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{y},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{z})$ as low as $2\ensuremath{\pi}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}(6.0,1.2,3.3)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$. Up to $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ condensate atoms have been loaded into the trap, at estimated temperatures as low as $850\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{pK}$. We anticipate that interferometer measurement times of $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}$ or more should be achievable in this device.

arXiv:cond-mat/0509691Physical Review ANov 22, 200521 citations

We describe an atom trap for Bose-Einstein condensates of

^{87}\mathrm{Rb}

to be used in atom interferometry experiments. The trap is based on a time-orbiting potential waveguide. It supports the atoms against gravity while providing weak confinement to minimize interaction effects. We observe harmonic oscillation frequencies $({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{x},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{y},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{z})$ as low as $2\ensuremath{\pi}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}(6.0,1.2,3.3)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$. Up to $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ condensate atoms have been loaded into the trap, at estimated temperatures as low as

850\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{pK}

. We anticipate that interferometer measurement times of

1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}

or more should be achievable in this device.