Shaken Lattice Interferometry

Carrie A. Weidner
Dana Z. Anderson group, JILA, University of Colorado at Boulder

For the past four years, we have been working on a novel means of performing interferometry using atoms trapped in a phase-modulated (or “shaken”) optical lattice. That is, we start with atoms in the ground state of an optical lattice potential, and by controlling the lattice shaking function we transform the atoms’ momentum state. In this way, we implement the standard interferometric sequence of beam splitting, propagation, reflection, reverse propagation, and recombination. We optimize the shaking function using a genetic algorithm [1] and optimal control techniques [2,3]. This talk will present computational and experimental results highlighting some of the interesting features of this nascent interferometry scheme. For example, we demonstrate that the shaken lattice interferometer sensitivity scales with the square of the interrogation time (as in most atom interferometers). However, in addition one can measure both the magnitude and acceleration of an applied signal, and the interferometer response can be optimized to a signal of interest [4]. Finally, we will show how the optimization of the shaking protocol can be dramatically simplified. This simplification, along with some straightforward experimental improvements, should allow for higher interrogation times and a more sensitive atom-based sensor.
[1] S. Pötting, et al. PRA 64, 063613, (2001).
[2] J.P. Palao, et al. PRA 77, 063412, (2008).
[3] T. Caneva, et al. PRA 84, 022326, (2011).
[4] C.A. Weidner, et al. PRA 95, 043624, (2017).

Coffee and cake at 10:00.