Obtaining Long Coherence Times in a Condensate Interferometer

在凝聚态干涉仪中获得长相干时间

• 批准号: 0244871
• 负责人: Charles Sackett
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Virginia Main Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-08-15 至 2007-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0244871&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Obtaining; Long; Coherence; Times; Condensate

This project focuses on the study of the coherence time of a Bose-Einstein condensate by developing an interferometer apparatus capable of measuring coherence times of up to five seconds or more. The interfering atom packets will be separated and recombined using optically induced Bragg diffraction, and the atoms will be confined at all times in a weak magnetic trap. Special attention will be paid to the observation and investigation of phase diffusion. This source of decoherence arises from the interactions between atoms in a packet, when coupled to the unavoidable fluctuations in the number of atoms in the packet. The work will explore ways in which the phase diffusion can be reduced to obtain longer coherence times, which are of practical interest. On the broader impact, the research has the potential for socially useful technological innovations, in particular for inertial navigation and for oil exploration. In addition, the project will involve research training of graduate and undergraduate students.

该项目的重点是研究玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体的相干时间，方法是开发一种能够测量高达5秒或更长相干时间的干涉仪。干涉原子包将被分离和重组使用光致布拉格衍射，原子将被限制在一个弱磁阱在任何时候。将特别注意观察和研究相扩散。这种退相干的来源来自于包中原子之间的相互作用，当耦合到包中原子数量的不可避免的波动时。这项工作将探索如何减少相位扩散，以获得更长的相干时间，这是实际利益。在更广泛的影响方面，这项研究有可能产生对社会有益的技术创新，特别是在惯性导航和石油勘探方面。此外，该项目将涉及研究生和本科生的研究培训。