Experiments

Quantum interferometry with atomic bose einstein condensates

The goal of this project is the development of an atom interferometer using ultra-cold gases, trapped in a double well potential. Implementing magnetic Feshbach resonances it is possible to tune the atomic interaction to zero and suppress the interaction induced decoherence of the interferometer by several order of magnitude. In addition exploiting positive and negative interactions it is possible to produce quantum entangled states that offer phase resolution better than the shot noise limit. The developed sensor is potentially the ideal candidate for measurement of forces and electromagnetic fields with spatial resolution below one micron. Finally the apparatus under construction is ideal for the production of maximally entangled states with macroscopic atom numbers, like the NOON or the Phase Cat states.

Image of the coherent tunneling of the atoms from the left well to the right one.

Image of the interference pattern created by the two condensates with relative phase 0, Pi/3 and 2Pi/3 released form the doule well potential.