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Gravitational interference The Aharonov-Bohm effect is a quantum mechanical effect in which a magnetic field affects the phase of an electron wave as it propagates along a wire. Atom interferometry exploits the wave characteristic of atoms to measure tiny differences in phase as they take different paths through the arms of an interferometer. Overstreet et al . split a cloud of cold rubidium atoms into two atomic wave packets about 25 centimeters apart and subjected one of the wave packets to gravitational interaction with a large mass (see the Perspective by Roura). The authors state that the observed phase shift is consistent with a gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect. —ISO

We demonstrate a narrow-linewidth 780 nm laser system with up to 40 W power and a frequency modulation bandwidth of 230 MHz. Efficient overlap on nonlinear optical elements combines two pairs of phase-locked frequency components into a single beam. Serrodyne modulation with a high-quality sawtooth waveform is used to perform frequency shifts with > 96.5 % efficiency over tens of MHz. This system enables next-generation atom interferometry by delivering simultaneous, Stark-shift-compensated dual beam splitters while minimizing spontaneous emission., 4 pages, 3 figures

Does gravity influence local measurements? We use a dual-species atom interferometer with $2\,\text{s}$ of free-fall time to measure the relative acceleration between $^{85}$Rb and $^{87}$Rb wave packets in the Earth's gravitational field. Systematic errors arising from kinematic differences between the isotopes are suppressed by calibrating the angles and frequencies of the interferometry beams. We find an E\"otv\"os parameter of $\eta = [1.6\; \pm\; 1.8\; \text{(stat)}\; \pm \; 3.4 \; \text{(sys)}] \times 10^{-12}$, consistent with zero violation of the equivalence principle. With a resolution of up to $1.4 \times 10^{-11} \, g$ per shot, we demonstrate a sensitivity to $\eta$ of $5.4 \times 10^{-11}\,/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 1 Table

This chapter introduces the fundamental principles and some of the applications of light-pulse atom interferometry. It includes tutorials on various atom optics techniques and on interferometer phase shift calculations. Recent advances in large momentum transfer atom optics and in the generation and manipulation of ultra-low-velocity-spread atom clouds have enabled atom interferometers that cover macroscopic scales in space (tens of centimeters) and in time (multiple seconds), dramatically improving interferometer sensitivity in a wide range of applications. This chapter reviews these advances and recent experiments performed with macroscopic scale atom interferometers in the 10-meter-tall atomic fountain at Stanford.

Spacetime curvature induces tidal forces on the wave function of a single quantum system. Using a dual light-pulse atom interferometer, we measure a phase shift associated with such tidal forces. The macroscopic spatial superposition state in each interferometer (extending over 16 cm) acts as a nonlocal probe of the spacetime manifold. Additionally, we utilize the dual atom interferometer as a gradiometer for precise gravitational measurements.

Matter-wave interferometers provide an opportunity to measure whether quantum superpositions exist at macroscopic length scales or only at microscopically small scales; now such instruments have demonstrated quantum interference of wave packets separated by 54 cm. Matter-wave interferometers, which allow for the observation of interference pattern of atomic wave packets that are split and recombined, have proven to be useful tools in precision metrology and fundamental research. These interferometers provide an opportunity to measure whether quantum superpositions exist at macroscopic length scales or only at microscopically small scales. But a truly macroscopic scale that would be necessary for such a test had not been reached in matter-wave interferometers to date. Here the authors show quantum interference of wave packets separated by 54 cm. Their matter-wave interferometer also promises increased sensitivity in precision tests, for example, when measuring the equivalence principle or measuring gravity. The quantum superposition principle allows massive particles to be delocalized over distant positions. Though quantum mechanics has proved adept at describing the microscopic world, quantum superposition runs counter to intuitive conceptions of reality and locality when extended to the macroscopic scale1, as exemplified by the thought experiment of Schrodinger’s cat2. Matter-wave interferometers3, which split and recombine wave packets in order to observe interference, provide a way to probe the superposition principle on macroscopic scales4 and explore the transition to classical physics5. In such experiments, large wave-packet separation is impeded by the need for long interaction times and large momentum beam splitters, which cause susceptibility to dephasing and decoherence1. Here we use light-pulse atom interferometry6,7 to realize quantum interference with wave packets separated by up to 54 centimetres on a timescale of 1 second. These results push quantum superposition into a new macroscopic regime, demonstrating that quantum superposition remains possible at the distances and timescales of everyday life. The sub-nanokelvin temperatures of the atoms and a compensation of transverse optical forces enable a large separation while maintaining an interference contrast of 28 per cent. In addition to testing the superposition principle in a new regime, large quantum superposition states are vital to exploring gravity with atom interferometers in greater detail. We anticipate that these states could be used to increase sensitivity in tests of the equivalence principle8,9,10,11,12, measure the gravitational Aharonov–Bohm effect13, and eventually detect gravitational waves14 and phase shifts associated with general relativity12.

Using a matter wave lens and a long time-of-flight, we cool an ensemble of Rb-87 atoms in two dimensions to an effective temperature of less than $50^{+50}_{-30}$~pK. A short pulse of red-detuned light generates an optical dipole force that collimates the ensemble. We also report a three-dimensional magnetic lens that substantially reduces the chemical potential of evaporatively cooled ensembles with high atom number. By observing such low temperatures, we set limits on proposed modifications to quantum mechanics in the macroscopic regime. These cooling techniques yield bright, collimated sources for precision atom interferometry., Comment: 5 pagers, 5 figures