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This study experimentally validates atom interferometry using the transverse phase profiles of Hypergeometric Gaussian beams, demonstrating rotation sensitivity that scales linearly with orbital angular momentum. By characterizing thermal decoherence near phase singularities, the research provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing interferometer visibility through condensed atoms in ring-shaped traps. These findings advance the precision of quantum sensors by leveraging specific optical mode structures for Ramsey interferometry with cold atom ensembles.
Atom Interferometry with Transverse Optical Modes
arXiv:2606.04430v3 Announce Type: replace-cross Abstract: We experimentally demonstrate atom interferometry using the transverse phase profile of an optical mode. As proof-of-principle, we use the helical phase windings of Hypergeometric Gaussian beams for Ramsey interferometry with ensembles of ballistically-expanding cold Rb87 atoms, and we show that the interferometer can measure rotations induced by a motor with a sensitivity that scales linearly with orbital angular momentum and interferometer time. We characterize the thermal decoherence of the interferometer, deriving and experimentally confirming a closed-form expression for the spatially-varying interferometer visibility arising near the singularity of the helical phase winding, motivating the use of condensed atoms in ring-shaped traps.
Authors:Ryan Husband, Ryan J. Thomas, Yosri Ben-Aïcha, Rhys H. Eagle, Jessica Eastman, John E. Debs, Patrick J. Everitt, Michael Larsen, Eric Imhof, Charles A. Sackett, John D. Close, Simon A. Haine, Samuel Legge
Abstract:We experimentally demonstrate atom interferometry using the transverse phase profile of an optical mode. As proof-of-principle, we use the helical phase windings of Hypergeometric Gaussian beams for Ramsey interferometry with ensembles of ballistically-expanding cold Rb87 atoms, and we show that the interferometer can measure rotations induced by a motor with a sensitivity that scales linearly with orbital angular momentum and interferometer time. We characterize the thermal decoherence of the interferometer, deriving and experimentally confirming a closed-form expression for the spatially-varying interferometer visibility arising near the singularity of the helical phase winding, motivating the use of condensed atoms in ring-shaped traps.
Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph); Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
arXiv:2606.04430 [physics.atom-ph]
(or arXiv:2606.04430v3 [physics.atom-ph] for this version)
Full text under the publisher's open licence · 147 words
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