Large Momentum Transfer via Shaking a 1D Optical Lattice

Realization of a 1D matter-wave interferometer can be achieved by shaking the phase of an optical lattice to tailor the momentum states of ultracold atoms [1]. Producing analogs of the components of a conventional light-based interferometer- atomic beam splitter, mirror, and recombination pulse- allow for inertial sensing while the atoms are confined to the optical lattice. 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. Large momentum transfer between the atomic packets is desirable to effectively increase the enclosed area of the sensor during interrogation. We report on experimental results demonstrating rapid large momentum transfer to atoms via a shaken lattice. Reinforcement learning from experimental data for increased sensitivity of our matter-wave interferometer is also explored.





[1] C.A. Weidner and D. Z. Anderson. Experimental demonstration of shaken lattice interferometry. 2018