Optically guided linear Mach Zehnder atom interferometer

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a horizontally guided Mach Zehnder atom interferometer using a Bose-Einstein condensate in an optical waveguide, achieving measurable acceleration sensitivity and high fringe visibility for potential sensor applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optically guided atom interferometer with extended coherence time and measurable acceleration sensitivity, advancing quantum sensor technology.

Findings

Achieved a fringe visibility of up to 38%.

Demonstrated a waveguide time-of-flight exceeding half a second.

Achieved acceleration sensitivity of 7x10^-4 m/s^2.

Abstract

We demonstrate a horizontal, linearly guided Mach Zehnder atom interferometer in an optical waveguide. Intended as a proof-of-principle experiment, the interferometer utilises a Bose-Einstein condensate in the magnetically insensitive |F=1,mF=0> state of Rubidium-87 as an acceleration sensitive test mass. We achieve a modest sensitivity to acceleration of da = 7x10^-4 m/s^2. Our fringe visibility is as high as 38% in this optically guided atom interferometer. We observe a time-of-flight in the waveguide of over half a second, demonstrating the utility of our optical guide for future sensors.