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Large Momentum Transfer Clock Atom Interferometry on the 689 nm Intercombination Line of Strontium

ORAL

Abstract

We report the first realization of large momentum transfer (LMT) clock atom interferometry. Using single-photon interactions on the strontium ${}^1S_0\, - {}^3P_1$ transition, we demonstrate Mach-Zehnder interferometers and gradiometers with state-of-the-art momentum separation. Moreover, we circumvent excited state decay limitations and extend the gradiometer duration to 50 times the excited state lifetime. Due to the broad velocity acceptance of the interferometry pulses, all experiments are performed with laser-cooled atoms at a temperature of $3\,\mu \text{K}$. We will discuss applications of this technique in state-of-the-art gravity gradiometry and in compact and mobile inertial sensors. This work paves the way towards pursuing LMT-enhanced clock atom interferometry on even narrower transitions, a key ingredient in proposals for gravitational wave detection and dark matter searches.

Authors

  • Thomas Wilkason

    Stanford Univ

  • Jan Rudolph

    Stanford Univ

  • Megan Nantel

    Stanford Univ

  • Hunter Swan

    Stanford Univ

  • Connor M. Holland

    Stanford Univ

  • Yijun Jiang

    Stanford Univ

  • Benjamin E. Garber

    Department of Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA, Stanford Univ

  • Samuel P. Carman

    Stanford Univ

  • Jason Hogan

    Stanford Univ, Stanford University