Interferometry with Bose-Einstein Condensates in Microgravity

TLDR

Atom interferometers spanning macroscopic space‑time domains showcase matter’s wave nature, and Bose‑Einstein condensates, with their exceptional coherence, are ideal sources for such interferometers in extended free fall. In this Letter we report on the realization of an asymmetric Mach‑Zehnder interferometer operated with a Bose‑Einstein condensate in microgravity. We employ delta‑kick cooling to enhance the signal and extend the atom interferometer. The interference pattern resembles a far‑field double‑slit pattern, scales linearly with expansion time, and demonstrates the high potential of quantum‑gas interferometers for probing quantum mechanics and general relativity.

Abstract

Atom interferometers covering macroscopic domains of space-time are a spectacular manifestation of the wave nature of matter. Because of their unique coherence properties, Bose-Einstein condensates are ideal sources for an atom interferometer in extended free fall. In this Letter we report on the realization of an asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer operated with a Bose-Einstein condensate in microgravity. The resulting interference pattern is similar to the one in the far field of a double slit and shows a linear scaling with the time the wave packets expand. We employ delta-kick cooling in order to enhance the signal and extend our atom interferometer. Our experiments demonstrate the high potential of interferometers operated with quantum gases for probing the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics and general relativity.