Published December 2009 | Version v1
Journal article

Scalable Bose-Einstein-condensate Sagnac interferometer in a linear trap

  • 1. Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904 (United States)

Description

We demonstrate a two-dimensional atom interferometer in a harmonic magnetic waveguide using a Bose-Einstein condensate. Such an interferometer could measure rotation using the Sagnac effect. Compared to free space interferometers, larger interactions times and enclosed areas can in principle be achieved, since the atoms are not in free fall. In this implementation, we induce the atoms to oscillate along one direction by displacing the trap center. We then split and recombine the atoms along an orthogonal direction using an off-resonant optical standing wave. We enclose a maximum effective area of 0.1 mm2 limited by fluctuations in the initial velocity and by the coherence time of the interferometer. We argue that this arrangement is scalable to enclose larger areas by increasing the coherence time and then making repeated loops.

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review. A
Journal Volume
80
Journal Issue
6
Journal Page Range
p. 061603-061603.4
ISSN
1050-2947
CODEN
PLRAAN

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
41086421
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; S74: ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
ATOMS; BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATION; FLUCTUATIONS; INTERACTIONS; INTERFEROMETERS; INTERFEROMETRY; RADIATION PRESSURE; ROTATION; STANDING WAVES; TRAPS; TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
Descriptors DEC
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; MOTION; VARIATIONS

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2009 The American Physical Society