Concept of an ionizing time-domain matter-wave interferometer

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel all-optical, ionizing matter-wave interferometer in the time domain, enabling precision wave experiments with massive particles using UV laser pulses and demonstrating a Talbot-Lau-like interference effect.

Contribution

It introduces a new interferometer concept that uses UV laser pulses for ionization and optical gratings, allowing studies of wave behavior in highly massive clusters and molecules.

Findings

Design of a time-domain matter-wave interferometer using UV laser pulses.

Demonstration of a Talbot-Lau-like interference effect dependent on pulse delay.

Potential for compact setups with high diffraction angles for massive particles.

Abstract

We discuss the concept of an all-optical and ionizing matter-wave interferometer in the time domain. The proposed setup aims at testing the wave nature of highly massive clusters and molecules, and it will enable new precision experiments with a broad class of atoms, using the same laser system. The propagating particles are illuminated by three pulses of a standing ultraviolet laser beam, which detaches an electron via efficient single photon-absorption. Optical gratings may have periods as small as 80 nm, leading to wide diffraction angles for cold atoms and to compact setups even for very massive clusters. Accounting for the coherent and the incoherent parts of the particle-light interaction, we show that the combined effect of phase and amplitude modulation of the matter waves gives rise to a Talbot-Lau-like interference effect with a characteristic dependence on the pulse delay time.