Coherence properties of guided-atom interferometers

We present a detailed theoretical investigation of the coherence properties of beam splitters and Mach-Zehnder interferometers for guided neutral atoms. We show that such a setup permits coherent wave packet splitting and leads to the appearance of interference fringes for both single-mode and thermal input states, evidencing thus the robustness of the interferometer.     

Fourier-domain low-coherence interferometry for differential mode delay analysis of an optical fiber

We propose a novel mode analysis and differential mode delay measurement method for an optical fiber using Fourier-domain low-coherence interferometry. A spectral interferometer based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer setup was used with a broadband source and an optical spectrum analyzer to detect relative temporal delays between the guided modes of a few-mode optical fiber by analyzing spectral interference signals. We have shown that experimental results of the proposed method agree well with those results obtained by using a conventional time-domain measurement method. We have demonstrated that this new mode analysis technique has high sensitivity (<60 dB) and very good resolution (<1 ps/m).     

Current status on the contribution of silica fibres to stellar interferometry

This paper reports on guided and integrated optics set-ups developed in our laboratory in the framework of aperture synthesis for astronomy. After summarising the function required to design a stellar interferometer, we propose guided components for these purposes. The implementation of these components is illustrated by two examples of interferometers with a view to using guided components as often as possible and testing an end-to-end imaging demonstrator.     

Enhanced linear and nonlinear optical phase response of AlGaAs microring resonators

We have constructed and characterized several optical microring resonators with scale sizes of the order of 10 microm. These devices are intended to serve as building blocks for engineerable linear and nonlinear photonic media. Light is guided vertically by an epitaxially grown structure and transversely by deeply etched air-clad sidewalls. We report on the spectral phase transfer characteristics of such resonators. We also report the observation of a pi-rad Kerr nonlinear phase shift accumulated in a single compact ring resonator evidenced by all-optical switching between output ports of a resonator-enhanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer.     

Long phase coherence time and number squeezing of two Bose-Einstein condensates on an atom chip

We measure the relative phase of two Bose-Einstein condensates confined in a radio frequency induced double-well potential on an atom chip. We observe phase coherence between the separated condensates for times up to approximately 200 ms after splitting, a factor of 10 longer than the phase diffusion time expected for a coherent state for our experimental conditions. The enhanced coherence time is attributed to number squeezing of the initial state by a factor of 10. In addition, we demonstrate a rotationally sensitive (Sagnac) geometry for a guided atom interferometer by propagating the split condensates.     

Guiding Neutral Atoms with Two Current-Carrying Wires and a Vertical Bias Field on the Atom Chip

We demonstrate the guiding of neutral atoms with two parallel microfabricated current-carrying wires on the atom chip and a vertical magnetic bias field. The atoms are guided along a magnetic field minimum parallel to the current-carrying wires and confined in the other two directions. We describe in detail how the precooled atoms are efficiently loaded into the two-wire guide. We present a detailed experimental study of the motional properties of the atoms in the guide and the relationship between the location of the guide and the vertical bias field. This two-wire guide with vertical bias field can be used to realize large area atom interferometer.     

Time-averaged adiabatic potentials: versatile matter-wave guides and atom traps

We demonstrate a novel class of trapping potentials, time-averaged adiabatic potentials (TAAP), which allows the generation of a large variety of traps for quantum gases and matter-wave guides for atom interferometers. Examples include stacks of pancakes, rows of cigars, and multiple rings or sickles. The traps can be coupled through controllable tunneling barriers or merged altogether. We present analytical expressions for pancake-, cigar-, and ring-shaped traps. The ring geometry is of particular interest for guided matter-wave interferometry as it provides a perfectly smooth waveguide of widely tunable diameter and thus adjustable sensitivity of the interferometer. The flexibility of the TAAP would make possible the use of Bose-Einstein condensates as coherent matter waves in large-area atom interferometers.     

Polarization dependent inter-core interferences in twin-core photonic crystal fiber and its application to high temperature measurement

We investigate polarization dependent differential group modal index sensitivity to temperature in twin-core photonic crystal fiber. Characteristics of guided modes and the group modal index difference in twin-core photonic crystal fiber (TC-PCF) are numerically analyzed. The geometrical asymmetry between the two cores induces significantly reduced power coupling between two core modes and difference in their effective indices. Two cores form two effective optical paths. We also experimentally demonstrate polarization dependent differential group modal index sensitivity to the temperature. Since the TC-PCF has polarization dependent group modal index difference, TC-PCF based interferometer shows input polarization dependent free spectral range and temperature sensitivities. The effective index difference between the two core modes tends to increase when the temperature increases.     

Analysis and measurement of GAWBS spectrum in a nonlinear fiber ring

The spectral density of the phase noise of an optical pulse in a fiber produced by guided acoustic wave Brillouin scattering (GAWBS) is derived from first principles. The predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results in a fiber interferometer. The experiments show that the lower limit on the quantum noise reduction is set by GAWBS. The GAWBS are of sufficiently low level to permit 5 dB squeezing.     

Switchable vector vortex beam generation using an optical fiber

We present our experimental results on directly transforming a circular-polarized Gaussian beam into linear-polarized vector vortex beams using a two-mode fiber and demonstrate switching between the different 0th-order vector vortex modes excited and guided in the fiber. Depending on the handiness of circular-polarization of the input Gaussian light beam, its launch angle with respect to the fiber axis and by changing them appropriately it is possible to excite and switch between the different vector vortex modes and its coherent linear superposition supported by the two-mode fiber. The output optical beams due to the selectively excited vector modes in the fiber are characterized by using a rotating analyzer and a two-beam interferometer setup to study the polarization and the phase behavior of the vector vortex beam.     

Linearization and minimization of cyclic error with heterodyne laser interferometry

We present a method for the linearization and minimization of interferometer cyclic error. We utilize a polynomial curve fitting and resampling algorithm to correct for nonlinear mirror displacement. In the frequency domain, this algorithm compresses cyclic error into a single-frequency component and enables the precise measurement of cyclic error in a noise-dominated environment. We have applied the technique to determine the cyclic error for a range of interferometer components. In addition, we have used these measurements to optimize interferometer configuration and performance such that we routinely achieve a cyclic error of ～50 pm for our custom Glan-Laser interferometer and ～100 pm for a commercial interferometer.     

Propagation phenomena of wideband guided waves in a bended pipe

Ultrasonic guided waves in pipes have been anticipated as a rapid screening technique for pipe inspection because of their long-range propagation due to low energy leakage. In this paper, the propagation phenomena of guided waves in a bended pipe were investigated using a wideband laser ultrasonic system. The laser ultrasonic system, together with wavelet transformation, is a powerful tool for observing the dispersive phenomena intrinsic to guided waves. Bended stainless steel (SUS304) pipes with 6-mm outer diameter and 1-mm wall thickness were used in the experiments. The bending angles of the pipes were set to 0 degrees (straight pipe), 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees. The radius of the bend was 12.5 mm in all the pipes. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was employed to generate the guided waves. The generated guided waves were detected with a heterodyne interferometer. The obtained time-domain signals and their wavelet coefficients indicated the following two conclusions: (1) The amplitude of the F(1,1) mode converted from the L(0,1) mode increased with the increase of the bending angle. (2) Mode conversions from the L(0,1) to F(1,1) modes and vice versa were clearly observed in the low-frequency range up to around 200 kHz.     

基于Michelson干涉仪的高灵敏度光纤高温探针传感器

提出了一种简单的高灵敏度的光纤高温探针传感器, 该传感器由一小段多模光纤和一端镀有银膜的单模光纤熔接而成. 由于单模光纤和多模光纤的纤芯直径不同, 当光波从多模光纤传输至多模光纤和单模光纤的熔接端面时, 一部分纤芯光耦合进包层, 因为单模光纤纤芯的折射率和包层的折射率不同, 不同模式的光经过银膜反射后在多模光纤内重新耦合进单模光纤, 最终形成干涉.随着外界温度的升高, 干涉谱峰值会向长波方向漂移. 实验结果证明这种传感器在470 ℃–600 ℃范围内具有很好的稳定性, 线性度达99.7%, 灵敏度为120 pm/℃, 可作为远距离反射型探针温度传感器, 在石油探测和油气田开发等领域有着广泛的应用前景. 关键词： 光纤传感 温度测量 Michelson干涉     

Strain and vibration analysis by fibre based speckle shearing interferometry

An optical fibre based, speckle shearing interferometer is described. The instrument uses a highly birefringent optical fibre to illuminate a test object with equal intensities of light guided by the orthogonal polarisation eigenstates of the fibre. A Wollaston prism is used to obtain two sheared images with adjustable shear. Optical phase changes between the sheared images are readily achieved, without mechanical movement of components, by straining the optical fibre. Object strain determination, by fringe analysis with phase stepping techniques, is readily achieved. Vibration analysis by heterodyning is also reported.     

Large area light-pulse atom interferometry

We report the experimental demonstration of a large area atom interferometer based on extended sequences of light pulses. We characterize the interferometer through measurement of the acceleration due to gravity and demonstrate a threefold enhancement in intrinsic acceleration sensitivity. The technique is applicable to many atom interferometer configurations, including those used for measurement of rotations, gravity gradients, and Planck's over 2pi/m.     

High-frequency guided ultrasonic waves for hidden defect detection in multi-layered aircraft structures

Aerospace structures often contain multi-layered metallic components where hidden defects such as fatigue cracks and localized disbonds can develop, necessitating non-destructive testing. Employing standard wedge transducers, high frequency guided ultrasonic waves that penetrate through the complete thickness were generated in a model structure consisting of two adhesively bonded aluminium plates. Interference occurs between the wave modes during propagation along the structure, resulting in a frequency dependent variation of the energy through the thickness with distance. The wave propagation along the specimen was measured experimentally using a laser interferometer. Good agreement with theoretical predictions and two-dimensional finite element simulations was found. Significant propagation distance with a strong, non-dispersive main wave pulse was achieved. The interaction of the high frequency guided ultrasonic waves with small notches in the aluminium layer facing the sealant and on the bottom surface of the multilayer structure was investigated. Standard pulse-echo measurements were conducted to verify the detection sensitivity and the influence of the stand-off distance predicted from the finite element simulations. The results demonstrated the potential of high frequency guided waves for hidden defect detection at critical and difficult to access locations in aerospace structures from a stand-off distance.     

A matter-wave interferometer based on the dc-Stark effect

We present a new separated beam atom interferometer in which the recombination of the atomic wave packet is due to the dc-Stark interaction of an induced atomic dipole with a cylindrically symmetric electric field of a charged wire. The fringe period shows a weak power-law dependence on the de Broglie wavelength and the polarizability of the particles. We present a semiclassical theoretical model for this interferometer which resembles the measured performance of the interferometer without free parameters. A discussion of possible applications of this interferometer for atoms and molecules is given. Received: 20 November 1998 / Published online: 8 September 1999     

Measuring gravitational effect of superintense laser by spin-squeezed Bose—Einstein condensates interferometer

We consider an extremely intense laser, enclosed by an atom interferometer. The gravitational potential generated from the high-intensity laser is solved from the Einstein field equation under the Newtonian limit. We compute the strength of the gravitational force and study the feasibility of measuring the force by the atom interferometer. The intense laser field from the laser pulse can induce a phase change in the interferometer with Bose-Einstein condensates. We push up the sensitivity limit of the interferometer with Bose-Einstein condensates by spin-squeezing effect and determine the sensitivity gap for measuring the gravitational effect from intense laser by atom interferometer.     

Entanglement preparation using symmetric multiports

We investigate the entanglement produced by a multi-path interferometer that is composed of two symmetric multiports, with phase shifts applied to the output of the first multiport. Particular attention is paid to the case when we have a single photon entering the interferometer. For this situation we derive a simple condition that characterizes the types of entanglement that one can generate. We then show how one can use the results from the single-photon case to determine what kinds of multi-photon entangled states one can prepare using the interferometer.     

Phase detection at the quantum limit with multiphoton Mach-Zehnder interferometry

We study a Mach-Zehnder interferometer fed by a coherent state in one input port and vacuum in the other. We explore a Bayesian phase estimation strategy to demonstrate that it is possible to achieve the standard quantum limit independently from the true value of the phase shift and specific assumptions on the noise of the interferometer. We have been able to implement the protocol by using parallel operation of two photon-number-resolving detectors and multiphoton coincidence logic electronics at the output ports of a weakly illuminated Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This protocol is unbiased, saturates the Cramer-Rao phase uncertainty bound, and, therefore, is an optimal phase estimation strategy.