Measuring Energy Differences by BEC Interferometry on a Chip

TL;DR

This paper explores using Bose-Einstein condensates on an atom chip for precise interferometric measurements of tiny energy differences, analyzing noise sources and systematic errors affecting measurement accuracy.

Contribution

It demonstrates the feasibility of BEC interferometry on a chip for measuring small energy differences and identifies key noise and systematic error sources.

Findings

Noise in energy difference is mainly due to statistical number difference fluctuations.

Systematic errors include variations in rf magnetic fields near chip wires.

Energy differences comparable to gravitational effects can be measured.

Abstract

We investigate the use of a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped on an atom chip for making interferometric measurements of small energy differences. We measure and explain the noise in the energy difference of the split condensates, which derives from statistical noise in the number difference. We also consider systematic errors. A leading effect is the variation of rf magnetic field in the trap with distance from the wires on the chip surface. This can produce energy differences that are comparable with those due to gravity.