Atom-light superposition oscillation and Ramsey-like atom-light interferometer

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a hybrid atom-light interferometer utilizing coherent superposition oscillations between atomic and photonic states, enabling new precision measurement techniques and quantum control applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hybrid interferometer based on atom-light superposition states, combining optical and atomic phases for enhanced quantum measurement capabilities.

Findings

Observation of Rabi-like atom-light oscillations

Interference fringes in optical and atomic outputs

Potential applications in precision measurement and quantum control

Abstract

Coherent wave splitting is crucial in interferometers. Normally, the waves after this splitting are of the same type. But recent progress in interaction between atom and light has led to the coherent conversion of photon to atomic excitation. This makes it possible to split an incoming light wave into a coherent superposition state of atom and light and paves the way for an interferometer made of different types of waves. Here we report on a Rabi-like coherent-superposition oscillation observed between atom and light and a coherent mixing of light wave with excited atomic spin wave in a Raman process. We construct a new kind of hybrid interferometer based on the atom-light coherent superposition state. Interference fringes are observed in both optical output intensity and atomic output in terms of the atomic spin wave strength when we scan either or both of the optical and atomic phases. Such a hybrid interferometer can be used to interrogate atomic states by optical detection and will find its applications in precision measurement and quantum control of atoms and light.