Space-time sensors using multiple-wave atom levitation

Abstract

The best clocks to date control the atomic motion by trapping the sample in an optical lattice and then interrogate the atomic transition by shining on these atoms a distinct laser of controlled frequency. In order to perform both tasks simultaneously and with the same laser field, we propose to use instead the levitation of a Bose-Einstein condensate through multiple-wave atomic interferences. The levitating condensate experiences a coherent localization in momentum and a controlled diffusion in altitude. The sample levitation is bound to resonance conditions used either for frequency or for acceleration measurements. The chosen vertical geometry solves the limitations imposed by the sample free fall in previous optical clocks using also atomic interferences. This configuration yields multiple-wave interferences enabling levitation and enhancing the measurement sensitivity. This setup, analogous to an atomic resonator in momentum space, constitutes an attractive alternative to existing atomic clocks and gravimeters.

5 pages, 4 figures.Final version

References in corpus (10)

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Cited by in corpus (10)

• Precision atomic gravimeter based on Bragg diffraction
• Why momentum width matters for atom interferometry with Bragg pulses
• A Multi-path Interferometer with Ultracold Atoms Trapped in an Optical Lattice
• Dynamical local and non-local Casimir atomic phases
• Non-additive dynamical Casimir atomic phases
• The theory of quantum levitators
• Driving quantized vortices with quantum vacuum fluctuations
• Classical phase-space approach for coherent matter waves
• Hidden symmetry and nonlinear paraxial atom optics
• Dichroic mirror pulses for optimized higher-order atomic Bragg diffraction