Rabi oscillation induced $\pi$-phase flip in an unbalanced Ramsey atom interferometer

TL;DR

This paper reports the experimental observation of phase flips caused by Rabi oscillation in an unbalanced Ramsey atom interferometer, and proposes composite-light-pulse sequences for improved phase noise immunity.

Contribution

The study demonstrates Rabi oscillation-induced phase flips and introduces composite-light-pulse sequences for enhanced cold atom interferometer performance.

Findings

Observed zero to π phase flips induced by Rabi oscillation.

Theoretical model explains phase shift and visibility variations.

Proposed composite-light-pulse sequences improve phase noise immunity.

Abstract

We present an observation of zero to $\pi$ phase flips induced by Rabi oscillation in an unbalanced Ramsey atom interferometer. The phase shift and visibility are experimentally investigated by modulating either the polarization or duration of Raman lasers, and they are well explained by a theoretical model. In an atom interferometer, the $\pi$-phase flips are caused not only by the sign of Rabi frequency but also by the Rabi oscillation. Considering the $\pi$-phase flips, we propose the composite-light-pulse sequences for realizing the large-momentum-transfer beam splitter and mirror, which have the high immunity to the external phase noise in building the cold atom interferometer.