Atomic Interferometer with Amplitude Gratings of Light and Its Applications to Atom Based Tests of the Equivalence Principle
Year: 2004
Type: article
Abstract: We have developed a matter wave interferometer based on the diffraction of atoms from effective absorption gratings of light. In a setup with cold rubidium atoms in an atomic fountain the interferometer has been used to carry out tests of the equivalence principle on an atomic basis. The gravitational acceleration of the two isotopes $^{85}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{b}$ and $^{87}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{b}$ was compared, yielding a difference $\ensuremath{\Delta}\mathbf{g}/\mathbf{g}=(1.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$. We also perform a differential free fall measurement of atoms in two different hyperfine states, and obtained a result of $\ensuremath{\Delta}\mathbf{g}/\mathbf{g}=(0.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Authors: Sebastian Fray, Cristina Alvarez Diez, Theodor W. Hänsch, Martin Weitz
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
OpenAlex ID: W1964524512