From Single to Multiple-Photon Decoherence in an Atom Interferometer
arXiv:quant-ph/0009044 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.2191
Abstract
We measure the decoherence of a spatially separated atomic superposition due to spontaneous photon scattering. We observe a qualitative change in decoherence versus separation as the number of scattered photons increases, and verify quantitatively the decoherence rate constant in the many-photon limit. Our results illustrate an evolution of decoherence consistent with general models developed for a broad class of decoherence phenomenon.
submitted to PRL Septermber 5 2000 resubmitted to PRL December 5, 2000 Accepted for publication in PRL Jan 12, 2001