A number filter for matter-waves

TL;DR

This paper introduces a nonlinear matter wave interferometer technique to reduce atom number fluctuations in Bose-Einstein condensate experiments, enhancing measurement precision.

Contribution

The paper proposes a novel nonlinear interferometer method with high beam-splitter asymmetry to suppress atom number fluctuations in BECs.

Findings

Effective suppression of atom number fluctuations demonstrated.

Theoretical models agree on the suppression mechanism.

Potential for improved precision in BEC experiments.

Abstract

In current Bose-Einstein condensate experiments, the shot-to-shot variation of atom number fluctuates up to 10%. In here, we present a procedure to suppress such fluctuations by using a nonlinear p-pi-pbar matter wave interferometer for a Bose-Einstein condensate with two internal states and a high beam-splitter asymmetry (p, pbar not-equal 0.5). We analyze the situation for an inhomogeneous trap within the Gross-Pitaevskii mean-field theory, as well as a quantum mechanical Josephson model, which addresses complementary aspects of the problem and agrees well otherwise.