Diffraction of atomic matter waves through matter

Renat R. Letfullin, Thomas F. George

A simple focusing device is proposed for de Broglie matter-waves - a diffractive lens, based on the optical effect of diffractive multifocal focusing of radiation. This matter-wave lens consists of two co-axial circular apertures in which the second aperture of smaller diameter is located where the Fresnel number of the first aperture is unity. It is shown that diffraction of a de Broglie matter wave by a system of two pinholes on an optical axis exhibits the multifocal focusing effect of matter waves in the near-field (Fresnel) zone. The focusing, defocusing and refocusing phenomenon is explained as resulting from periodic phase changes at singular points, which are points where the intensity is zero and the phase is undefined. It is shown that the proposed matter-wave lens could create a very intense, spatially-localized beam of atoms. Theoretical predictions for the focusing efficiency of a neutral atomic beam by the diffractive lens are: the spot diameter is ~ 0.1 &mgr;m, the ratio of focal and incident intensities is ~ 15, the focal length of the diffractive lens is in the range ~ 0.13.6 cm, the focusing depth is in the range ~ 15.30 cm, and the energy transmitting efficiency is ~ 30%. For the relatively-large diameters of the pinholes, ⩾ 5.0 &mgr;m, the proposed configuration acts as a matter-wave lens with a large focal length and a long focusing depth.

Claudia Keller, Jörg Schmiedmayer, Anton Zeilinger

Stefan Bernet, Roland Abfalterer, Claudia Keller +3 more

We present diffraction experiments where the roles of light and material are inverted with respect to usual holography. Atomic matter waves are diffracted at grating structures composed of standing light waves. In contrast to material holograms, our light gratings can be manipulated during the passage of an atomic matter wave, resulting in new diffraction features. We demonstrate similarities and differences between material and light holograms.

I. Peterson

Stefan Bernet, Markus K. Oberthaler, Roland Abfalterer +2 more

We demonstrate how Bragg diffraction of atomic matter waves at a time-modulated thick standing light wave can be used to coherently shift the de Broglie frequency of the diffracted atoms. The coherent frequency shift is experimentally confirmed by interferometric superposition of modulated and unmodulated atoms resulting in time-dependent interference fringes. Our frequency shifter for atomic matter waves is a generalization of an acousto-optic frequency shifter for photons.

Christian Brand, Michele Sclafani, Christian Knobloch +9 more