We have demonstrated the Talbot-Lau effect for atomic de Broglie waves in the time domain. This effect is based on Fresnel diffraction of matter waves from an incoherent source. In the experiment, de Broglie waves of atoms in a particular internal state have been manipulated and the resulting density directly imaged by resonant optical fields. These experiments allow us to probe the quantum dynamics of the atomic center of mass. We have also used this effect to create patterns in the density of the atoms with period as small as $1∕10$ of the optical wavelength, demonstrating the potential application of this technique for atom nanofabrication.We have demonstrated the Talbot-Lau effect for atomic de Broglie waves in the time domain. This effect is based on Fresnel diffraction of matter waves from an incoherent source. In the experiment, de Broglie waves of atoms in a particular internal state have been manipulated and the resulting density directly imaged by resonant optical fields. These experiments allow us to probe the quantum dynamics of the atomic center of mass. We have also used this effect to create patterns in the density of the atoms with period as small as $1∕10$ of the optical wavelength, demonstrating the potential application of this technique for atom nanofabrication.

Physical Review AApr 25, 200564 citations

Theory of the partially coherent temporal Talbot effect

Laura Chantada, Carlos R. Fernández‐Pousa, Carlos C. Gomez-Reino

Optics CommunicationsMay 26, 200616 citations

Progress toward a large-scale ion Talbot-Lau interferometer

Andrea Demetrio, Simon R. Müller, P. Lansonneur +1 more

The Talbot-Lau interferometer is a proven tool to perform measurements in the near-field regime. It has been extensively used for investigating the wave nature of electrons, atoms, and complex organic molecules. However, when designing devices with high geometrical acceptances, which would be desirable when dealing with low-intensity sources of particles, the alignment requirements become much more stringent. Furthermore, if the particles are charged, the influence of external fields becomes quickly non-negligible when increasing the length of the device. This paper focuses on both the geometric and physical constraints of an ion Talbot-Lau interferometer, with emphasis on the scaling of such constraints with the size of the device. Mathematical formulas which set limits on the critical parameters are derived and applied to a test setup for protons.The Talbot-Lau interferometer is a proven tool to perform measurements in the near-field regime. It has been extensively used for investigating the wave nature of electrons, atoms, and complex organic molecules. However, when designing devices with high geometrical acceptances, which would be desirable when dealing with low-intensity sources of particles, the alignment requirements become much more stringent. Furthermore, if the particles are charged, the influence of external fields becomes quickly non-negligible when increasing the length of the device. This paper focuses on both the geometric and physical constraints of an ion Talbot-Lau interferometer, with emphasis on the scaling of such constraints with the size of the device. Mathematical formulas which set limits on the critical parameters are derived and applied to a test setup for protons.

Physical Review ADec 4, 20172 citations

1∕10

of the optical wavelength, demonstrating the potential application of this technique for atom nanofabrication.