Realization of a guided matter wave gradiometer

A gradiometer has been developed to measure of the gradient of various fields and forces through differential measurements. Atom interferometers in free space have been used to realize one of the most sensitive gradiometers with separate clouds of atoms by implementing parallel atom interferometers. However, the required significant interrogation time results in a large free fall distance, making it difficult to develop a portable sensor and increase the sensitivity for the most critical applications. To realize a gradiometer in a compact setup without lowering sensitivity, we developed a guided matter wave gradiometer. Atoms were trapped radially within a waveguide, realized with a single laser beam, to increase the interrogation time without the large free fall distance. An acceleration of atoms along the axial direction of the waveguide beam was measured with two clouds of atoms to realize a gradiometer. A coherent interrogation time of 150 ms was demonstrated. The acceleration difference between two clouds of atoms due to the magnetic field gradient was measured to demonstrate the gradiometer operation. In this talk, the current progress of this project will be presented.