Work

Mach–Zehnder interferometer for characterization of atom traps

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Standard characterization of atomic traps relies on tracking classical trajectories, which is limited by the imaging resolution, the amplitude of the oscillation inside the trap, and the lifetime of the gas. We introduce a Mach–Zehnder interferometer technique that overcomes these bottlenecks by mapping the trap frequency ω directly onto internal state populations, which exhibit sharp interference revivals. Yielding an estimated relative uncertainty of Δω/ω=4.3×10−6 in 100 ms, this approach extracts precise frequencies and anharmonicity bounds well within typical experimental lifetimes. This efficient calibration enables optimizing atom lenses in delta-kick collimation, advancing inertial sensing, and controlling many-body systems via confinement-induced resonances.

Source: AVS Quantum Science

DOI: 10.1116/5.0341006

Authors: A. Wolf, M. A. Efremov

Institutions: Universität Ulm, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR), Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Award: G402306430