Time-of-flight resolved transmission-grating diffraction of molecular beams

Diffraction of molecular beams of CH₃F, CHF₃, and metastable He^* and Ne^* from a 100-nm-period micro-fabricated transmission grating has been observed. Due to the finite velocity spread and the corresponding temporal coherence of the molecular beams, diffraction peaks of only the first few orders are resolved in total-intensity measurements, while higher order peaks are increasingly broadened and smeared-out. Combining time-of-flight (TOF) measurements with angular scans has allowed to observe TOF-resolved diffraction data which yield full resolution of all detected diffraction peaks. Here, this method has been applied to investigate atom/molecule-surface interactions. In general, it can be used to observe resolved diffraction patterns of a wide range of atomic and molecular beams whose broad velocity distributions prevent peak-resolution in conventional total-intensity measurements.Received: 3 September 2003, Published online: 21 October 2003PACS: 39.20. + q Atom interferometry techniques - 03.75.Be Atom and neutron optics - 07.77.Gx Atomic and molecular beam sources and detectors - 34.50.Dy Interactions of atoms and molecules with surfaces; photon and electron emission; neutralization of ionsW. Schöllkopf: Present address: Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Abteilung Molekülphysik, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany.R.E. Grisenti: Present address: Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Institut für Kernphysik, August-Euler-Str. 6, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany.     

Measurements of the vertical coherence length in neutron interferometry

The study and use of macroscopic quantum coherence requires long coherence lengths. Here we describe an approach to measuring the vertical coherence length in neutron interferometry, along with improvements to the NIST interferometer that led to a measured coherence length of 790 A. The measurement is based on introducing a path separation and measuring the loss in contrast as this separation is increased. The measured coherence length is consistent with the momentum distribution of the neutron beam. Finally, we demonstrate that the loss in contrast with beam displacement in one leg of the interferometer can be recovered by introducing a corresponding displacement in the second leg.     

Decoherence due to internal mesoscopic environment: a possible experimental test

Following the fundamentals of the Stern-Gerlach experiment, we propose for an experimental situation eventually revealing the decoherence effect due to the internal mesoscopic environment. The experiment-set-up we propose is a straightforward extension of the set-up recently used in the neutron optics interference experiments. First, we point to and discuss the occurrence of decoherence for the atoms path in the Stern-Gerlach experiment. Then, comparing a Stern-Gerlach apparatus with the apparatus of our set-up-proposal, we point out the occurrence of decoherence and consequently of non-violation of the Bells inequality for a single atoms degree of freedom due to the environment consisting of the order of 10² particles.Received: 29 December 2003, Published online: 17 February 2004PACS: 03.65.Yz Decoherence; open systems; quantum statistical methods - 03.75.Dg Atom and neutron interferometry - 03.65.Ud Entanglement and quantum nonlocality (e.g. EPR paradox, Bells inequalities, GHZ states, etc.)     

Mean-field model for Josephson oscillation in a Bose-Einstein condensate on an one-dimensional optical trap

Using the axially-symmetric time-dependent Gross-Pitaevskii equation we study the phase coherence in a repulsive Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) trapped by a harmonic and an one-dimensional optical lattice potential to describe the experiment by Cataliotti et al. on atomic Josephson oscillation [Science 293, 843 (2001)]. The phase coherence is maintained after the BEC is set into oscillation by a small displacement of the magnetic trap along the optical lattice. The phase coherence in the presence of oscillating neutral current across an array of Josephson junctions manifests in an interference pattern formed upon free expansion of the BEC. The numerical response of the system to a large displacement of the magnetic trap is a classical transition from a coherent superfluid to an insulator regime and a subsequent destruction of the interference pattern in agreement with the more recent experiment by Cataliotti et al. [New J. Phys. 5, 71 (2003)].Received: 20 March 2003, Published online: 30 July 2003PACS: 03.75.-b Matter waves - 03.75.Lm Tunneling, Josephson effect, Bose-Einstein condensates in periodic potentials, solitons, vortices and topological excitations - 03.75.Kk Dynamic properties of condensates; collective and hydrodynamic excitations, superfluid flow     

Remote and high precision step height measurement with an optical fiber multiplexing interferometric system

An optical fiber multiplexing low coherence and high coherence interferometric system, which includes a Fizeau interferometer as the sensing element and a Michelson interferometer as the demodulating element, is designed for remote and high precision step height measurement. The Fizeau interferometer is placed in the remote field for sensing the measurand, while the Michelson interferometer which works in both modes of low coherence interferometry and high coherence interferometry is employed for demodulating the measurand. The range of the step height is determined by the low coherence interferometry and the value of it is measured precisely by the high coherence interferometry. High precision has been obtained by searching precisely the peak of the low coherence interferogram symmetrically from two sides of the low coherence interferogram and stabilizing the Michelson interferometer with a feedback loop. The maximum step height that could be measured is 6 mm while the measurement resolution is less than 1 nm. The standard deviation of 10 times measurement results of a step height of 1 mm configurated with two gauge blocks is 0.5 nm.     

Decoherence induced by stochastic background of gravitational waves on matter-wave interferometers

Stochastic backgrounds of gravitational waves correspond to intrinsic fluctuations of spacetime leading to a universal decoherence mechanism. This mechanism defines an ultimate limit for matter-wave interferometry which sets a natural borderline between classical and quantum worlds. In this letter, we define figures which characterize the decoherence in terms of a coupling between the gravitational environment and the quadrupole of the interferometer. Using the ongoing progresses towards highly sensitive matter-wave interferometry in space, we then discuss the feasibility of experiments aimed at the observation of the decoherence border. PACS 03.75.-b; 04-30.-w; 04.62.+v     

Neutron Interference: Influence of the Mirror on the Spin

Advanced neutron interferometry includes the spinor properties of the neutrons. This makes it necessary to consider the influence of the mirrors on the spinor propagation. It is shown how the effect of an arbitrary mirror can be uniquely decomposed into a known kinematical part which is necessarily present, and a dynamical part which goes back to an interaction the neutron experiences in its rest-space. For any particular realization of a mirror this dynamical part can be determined experimentally. An argument is given as to why it vanishes for the usual perfect-crystal interferometer. The first relativistic approximations of the spinor reflection formula are discussed.     

Potential of the neutron lloyd’s mirror interferometer for the search for new interactions

We discuss the potential of the neutron Lloyd’s mirror interferometer in a search for new interactions at small scales. We consider three hypothetical interactions that may be tested using the interferometer. The chameleon scalar field proposed to solve the enigma of accelerating expansion of the Universe produces interaction between particles and matter. The axion-like spin-dependent coupling between a neutron and nuclei or/and electrons may result in a P- and T-noninvariant interaction with matter. Hypothetical non-Newtonian gravitational interactions mediates an additional short-range potential between neutrons and bulk matter. These interactions between the neutron and the mirror of a Lloyd-type neutron interferometer cause a phase shift of neutron waves. We estimate the sensitivity and systematic effects of possible experiments.     

光和原子关联与量子计量

物理量的测量与单位标准的统一推动了计量学的发展.量子力学的建立,激光技术的发明以及原子与分子物理学的发展,在原理与技术上进一步刷新了计量学的研究内涵,特别是激光干涉与原子频标技术的发展,引起了计量学革命性的飞跃.基于激光干涉的引力波测量、激光陀螺仪,基于原子干涉的原子钟、原子陀螺仪等精密测量技术相继诞生,一个以量子物理为基础,探索与开拓物理量精密测量方法与技术的新的科学分支——量子计量学(Quantum Metrology)已然兴起.干涉是计量学中最常用的相位测量方法.量子干涉技术,其相位测量精度能够突破标准量子极限的限制,是量子计量学与量子测量技术的核心研究内容.本文重点介绍近几年我们在量子干涉方面所取得的新开拓与新发展,主要内容包括基于原子系综中四波混频过程的SU(1,1)型光量子关联干涉仪和基于原子系综中拉曼散射过程的光-原子混合干涉仪.     

Using atom interferometry to search for new forces

Atom interferometry is a rapidly advancing field and this Letter proposes an experiment based on existing technology that can search for new short distance forces. With current technology it is possible to improve the sensitivity by up to a factor of 10² and near-future advances may be able to rewrite the limits for forces with ranges from 1 mm to 100 m.     

Rotational structures of long-range diatomic molecules

We present a systematic understanding of the rotational structure of a long-range (vibrationally highly-excited) diatomic molecule. For example, we show that depending on a quantum defect, the least-bound vibrational state of a diatomic molecule with -C _n /r ⁿ (n > 2) asymptotic interaction can have only 1, 2, and up to a maximum of n-2 rotational levels. A classification scheme of diatomic molecules is proposed, in which each class has a distinctive rotational structure and corresponds to different atom-atom scattering properties above the dissociation limit.Received: 15 June 2004, Published online: 28 September 2004PACS: 33.15.Mt Rotation, vibration, and vibration-rotation constants - 34.10. + x General theories and models of atomic and molecular collisions and interactions (including statistical theories, transition state, stochastic and trajectory models, etc.) - 03.75.Nt Other Bose-Einstein condensation phenomena - 03.75.Ss Degenerate Fermi gases     

Microscopic electro-optical atom trap on an evanescent-wave mirror

We put forward the idea of a surface-mounted microscopic electro-optical atom trap. The trap is formed on an evanescent-wave atom mirror by the strongly localized static electric field of two oppositely charged transparent electrodes placed close to each other. The electrodes are embedded in a refractive-index-matched thin dielectric layer on the surface of a glass prism. In our example, the phase-space density in the trap center reaches 0.1, when the trap is loaded with atoms from a gravito-optical surface trap.Received: 16 October 2003PACS: 32.80.Pj Optical cooling of atoms; trapping - 39.25. + k Atom manipulation (scanning probe microscopy, laser cooling, etc.)     

Instability of a trapped ultracold Fermi gas with attractive interactions: quantum effects

We consider the possible mechanical instability of an ultracold Fermi gas due to the attractive interactions between fermions of different species. We investigate how the instability, predicted by a mean field calculation, is modified when the gas is trapped in a harmonic potential and quantum effects are included.Received: 19 July 2004, Published online: 6 December 2004PACS: 03.75.Ss Degenerate Fermi gases - 03.75.Kk Dynamic properties of condensates; collective and hydrodynamic excitations, superfluid flow     

Zone-plate interferometry at 13 nm wavelength

We report on interferometry using a two-zone-plate common-path interferometer operating at a wavelength of 13 nm. The interferometer was set up with a laser-driven high-harmonic source emitting radiation with the high degree of spatial and temporal coherence necessary for interferometry. The interferometer is suited for investigations of the coherence properties of the light source employed, as well as for simultaneous measurements of the real and imaginary part of the complex index of refraction in the 100 eV regime. This is demonstrated in a proof of principle experiment with a piece of Zr-foil as the phase-shifting and absorbing sample. PACS 41.50.+h; 42.65.Ky; 42.87.Bg; 07.60.Ly     

Development of an atom-interferometer gravity gradiometer for gravity measurement from space

Recent progress in cold atom interferometry has lead to a new method of sensitive inertial sensing. Significant performance enhancement of cold atom interferometer-based sensors is anticipated when operated in the microgravity environment in space. Based on cold atom interferometer techniques, we are developing a quantum gravity gradiometer for satellite-based global gravity field mapping. As a first step, we have built a laboratory-based gradiometer employing component technologies suitable for a future flight instrument. This paper describes the implementation of the laboratory instrument and its initial results. PACS 03.75.Dg; 39.20.+q; 32.80.Pj; 04.80.-y     

Reality in neutron interference experiments

The wave-particle dualism becomes very obvious in matter wave interference experiments. Neutron interferometers based on wave front and amplitude division have been developed in the past. Most experiments have been performed with the perfect crystal neutron interferometer, which provides widely separated coherent beams allowing new experiments in the field of fundamental, nuclear, and solid-state physics. A nondispersive sample arrangement and the difference of stochastic and deterministic absorption have been investigated. In case of a deterministic absorption process the attenuation of the interference pattern is proportional to the beam attenuation, whereas in case of stochastic absorption it is proportional to the square root of the attenuation. This permits the formulation of Bell-like inequalities which will be discussed in detail. The verification of the4 symmetry of spinors and of the quantum mechanical spin-superposition experiment on a macroscopic scale are typical examples of interferometry in spin space. These experiments were continued with two resonance coils in the beams, where the results showed that coherence persists, even if an energy exchange between the neutron and the resonator system occurs with certainty. A quantum beat effect was observed when slightly different resonance frequencies were applied to both beams. In this case, the extremely high energy sensitivity of2.7×10 ^–19 eV was achieved. This effect can be interpreted as a magnetic Josephson-effect analog. Phase echo systems and experiments with pulsed beams show how interference phenomena can be made visible by a proper beam handling inside and behind the interferometer. All the results obtained until now are in agreement with the formalism of quantum mechanics but stimulate the discussion about the interpretation of this basic theory.     

Optical polarizabilities of large molecules measured in near-field interferometry

We discuss a novel application of matter wave interferometry to characterize the scalar optical polarizability of molecules at 532 nm. The interferometer presented here consists of two material absorptive gratings and one central optical phase grating. The interaction of the molecules with the standing light wave is determined by the optical dipole force and is therefore directly dependent on the molecular polarizability at the wavelength of the diffracting laser light. By comparing the observed matter-wave interference contrast with a theoretical model for several intensities of the standing light wave and molecular velocities, we can infer the polarizability in this first proof-of-principle experiment for the fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀, and we find a good agreement with literature values. PACS 03.75.Dg; 03.65.-w; 33.15.Kr     

Test of a diffraction grating neutron interferometer

A practical diffraction grating neutron interferometer has been tested and used to obtain the interference pattern for neutrons with a maximum wavelength of λ = 3.15 Å. Implementation of this principle for very low energy ultra-cold neutrons, permits a substantial expansion of the range of problems which can be solved by neutron interferometry.     

Study of the neutron quantum states in the gravity field

We have studied neutron quantum states in the potential well formed by the earths gravitational field and a horizontal mirror. The estimated characteristic sizes of the neutron wave functions in the two lowest quantum states correspond to expectations with an experimental accuracy. A position-sensitive neutron detector with an extra-high spatial resolution of m was developed and tested for this particular experiment, to be used to measure the spatial density distribution in a standing neutron wave above a mirror for a set of some of the lowest quantum states. The present experiment can be used to set an upper limit for an additional short-range fundamental force. We studied methodological uncertainties as well as the feasibility of improving further the accuracy of this experiment.Received: 31 July 2004, Published online: 7 March 2005PACS: 03.65, 28.20 Correspondence to: V. Nesvizhevsky     

Decoherence in a Talbot–Lau interferometer: the influence of molecular scattering

This work describes the interference of C₇₀ fullerenes in a Talbot–Lau interferometer with a large separation between the diffraction gratings. This permits the observation of recurrences of the interference contrast both as a function of the de Broglie wavelength and in dependence of the interaction of background gases. An exponential decrease of the fringe visibility with increasing background pressure was observed and good quantitative agreement with the predictions of decoherence theory was found. From extrapolation of the limits of matter wave interferometry it can be concluded that the influence of collisional decoherence may be well under control in future experiments with proteins and even larger objects. PACS 03.75.-b; 03.65.Yz; 39.20.+q