Quantum theory of atomic clocks and gravito-inertial sensors: an update

Abstract

In the framework of the ABCDξ formulation of atom optics and with an adequate modelization of the beam splitters, we establish an exact analytical phase shift expression for atom interferometers. This result is valid for a time-dependent external Hamiltonian at most quadratic in position and momentum operators and is expressed in terms of coordinates and momenta of the wave packet centres at the interaction vertices only. As a specific application, the case of atom gyrometers and accelerometers is presented in detail.