Large-momentum-transfer Bragg interferometer with strontium atoms

TL;DR

This paper presents the first atom interferometer using strontium atoms with large momentum transfer, demonstrating high sensitivity gravimetry and opening new avenues for precision measurements in physics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel strontium-based atom interferometer capable of large momentum transfer, enhancing precision measurement capabilities.

Findings

Achieved up to eight photon recoils in momentum transfer.

Demonstrated gravimeter sensitivity of 4×10^{-8}.

Showcased potential for fundamental physics experiments.

Abstract

We report on the first atom interferometer based on Bragg diffraction in a fountain of alkaline-earth atoms, namely $^{88}$Sr. We demonstrate large momentum transfer to the atoms up to eight photon recoils and the use of the interferometer as a gravimeter with a sensitivity $\delta g/g=4\times 10^{-8}$. Thanks to the special characteristics of strontium atoms for precision measurements, this result opens a new way for experiments in fundamental and applied physics.