Building a Matter-Wave Interferometer in a 1D Optical via Machine Learning Techniques

The creation of a 1D matter-wave interferometer can be achieved by utilizing ultracold atoms loaded into an optical lattice. By shaking the lattice via either phase or frequency modulation, the traditional steps of interferometry- effectively splitting, propagating, reflecting, again propagating and then recombining the atomic wavefunction- can be implemented, allowing for the sensing of inertial signals [1]. This approach is interesting since the atoms can be supported against external forces and perturbations, and the system can be completely reconfigurable on-the-fly for a new design goal. We report on experimental results in which atoms are cooled into a dipole trap and subsequently loaded into an optical lattice. Shaking protocols for obtaining interferometry steps are derived via machine learning and quantum optimal control methods. We report experimental progress in realizing a shaken lattice interferometer and its sensitivity to an applied acceleration signal along with the possibility of tailoring the signal to specific scenarios. Additionally, closed loop learning from the experiment to improve signal sensitivity is explored and demonstrated.

[1] C. A. Weidner and D. Z. Anderson. Experimental demonstration of shaken lattice interferometry, Physical review letters 120 (26), 263201.