Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme
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A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 51: Materiewellenoptik
A 51.6: Talk
Friday, March 16, 2012, 15:15–15:30, V53.01
Matter-Wave Interferometry with Ions — •Georg Schütz1, Alexander Rembold1, Andreas Pooch1, Franz Hasselbach1, Ing-Shouh Hwang2, and Alexander Stibor1 — 1Physikalisches Institut Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen — 2Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Academia Rd., 11529 Nankang, Taipei
The big success of matter-wave experiments with neutral particles and electrons within the last 20 years encourage the development of a new type of interferometer for ions. We report on the present status in the construction of the first stable ion-interferometer.
Compared to neutral atomic or molecular interferometers, the additional parameter charge opens the door for fundamental quantum-mechanical experiments, such as the magnetic and electric Aharonov-Bohm effect.
In the development of this device the long term experience in the manipulation of electron-waves are utilized on ions. In our experimental approach a coherent matter-wave of charged particles gets separated and recombined by an extremely thin, charged biprism wire, resulting in an interference pattern in the detection plane. A novel technique allows for a stable ion emission from a single atom apex of a pyramidal shaped metal tip. The resulting charged matter-waves are highly monochromatic and coherent. Since ions or even charged molecules in this kind of interferometer are significantly heavier and slower compared to electrons, highly sensitive, compact sensors for rotation and acceleration come into reach of current technical possibilities.