Monolithic atom interferometry

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel monolithic interferometer design for thermal-beam molecules, utilizing quantum reflection on a silicon surface to achieve high stability and sub-nanometer wavelengths, advancing interferometry technology.

Contribution

It introduces a new monolithic interferometer concept for molecules based on quantum reflection, demonstrating feasibility with helium beams and Si(111)-H surfaces.

Findings

Design of a Mach-Zehnder type monolithic interferometer for helium.

Use of Si(111)-H surfaces as stable diffractive mirrors.

Potential for high stability and sub-nanometer wavelength operation.

Abstract

Atom and, more recently, molecule interferometers are used in fundamental research and industrial applications. Most atom interferometers rely on gratings made from laser beams, which can provide high precision but cannot reach very short wavelengths and require complex laser systems to function. Contrary to this, simple monolithic interferometers cut from single crystals offer (sub) nano-meter wavelengths with an extreme level of stability and robustness. Such devices have been conceived and demonstrated several decades ago for neutrons and electrons. Here, we propose a monolithic design for a thermal-beam molecule interferometer based on (quantum) reflection. We show, as an example, how a reflective, monolithic interferometer (Mach-Zehnder type) can be realised for a helium beam using Si(111)-H(1x1) surfaces, which have previously been demonstrated to act as very robust and stable diffractive mirrors for neutral helium atoms.