Limitations for field-enhanced atom interferometry

Abstract

We discuss the possibility to enhance the sensitivity of optical interferometric devices by increasing its open area using an external field gradient that act differently on the two arms of the interfer-ometers. The use of combined electric and magnetic field cancel non linear terms that dephases the interferometer. This is possible using well defined (typically with n $\sim$ 20 Rydberg) states, a magnetic field of few Tesla and an electric field gradient of $\sim$ 10V/cm 2. However this allows only for interaction times on the order of tens of $\mu$s leading a reachable accuracy of only 1 or 2 order of magnitude higher than standard light-pulse atom interferometers. Furthermore, the control of fields and states and 3D trajectories puts severe limits to the reachable accuracy. This idea is therefore not suitable for precision measurement but might eventually be used for gravity or neutrality in antimatter studies.

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