Atom interferometer based on phase coherent splitting of Bose-Einstein condensates with an integrated magnetic...

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Quantum Optics
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) are quantum states of matter with unique properties.
• Controlling the spatial coherence and splitting of BECs is crucial for quantum technologies.
• Microelectronic devices offer precise control over atom manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate phase coherent splitting of BECs using a novel microelectronic chip.
• To investigate the control and reproducibility of diffraction patterns generated by a phase grating.
• To analyze the interference patterns for phase relations in the split atomic ensembles.

Main Methods:

• Generating a lattice potential (4 µm period) via superposition of static and oscillating magnetic fields.
• Utilizing integrated conductors on a microelectronic chip to precisely control magnetic field currents and diffraction.
• Observing interference of overlapping diffraction orders after 8 ms propagation and ballistic expansion.

Main Results:

• Achieved phase coherent splitting of Bose-Einstein condensates.
• Demonstrated reproducible phase relations between diffraction orders.
• Phase relation uncertainty limited by the diffraction grating resolution.

Conclusions:

• Microelectronic chip-based phase gratings enable precise and coherent control of BEC splitting.
• The demonstrated technique is reproducible and offers a pathway for advanced atom optics.
• This method has potential applications in quantum information processing and metrology.