Contrast and phase-shift of a trapped atom interferometer using a thermal ensemble with internal state labelling

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of a thermal ensemble-based trapped atom interferometer with internal state labelling, focusing on phase-shift, contrast, and effects of acceleration, including a shortcut to adiabaticity protocol.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for a thermal ensemble interferometer with internal state labelling, analyzing phase-shift and contrast under different protocols and external influences.

Findings

High symmetry is required for coherence in thermal ensembles.

Phase-shift formulas are similar for adiabatic and shortcut protocols.

The study provides insights into gravity and acceleration effects on interferometer performance.

Abstract

We report a theoretical study of a double-well Ramsey interferometer using internal state labelling. We consider the use of a thermal ensemble of cold atoms rather than a Bose-Einstein condensate to minimize the effects of atomic interactions. To maintain a satisfactory level of coherence in this case, a high degree of symmetry is required between the two arms of the interferometer. Assuming that the splitting and recombination processes are adiabatic, we theoretically derive the phase-shift and the contrast of such an interferometer in the presence of gravity or an acceleration field. We also consider using a "shortcut to adiabaticity" protocol to speed up the splitting process and discuss how such a procedure affects the phase shift and contrast. We find that the two procedures lead to phase-shifts of the same form.