Hannover 2013 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 15: Matter-wave optics

Q 15.2: Talk

Monday, March 18, 2013, 17:00–17:15, F 142

Charged matter-waves: Towards quantum interference applications with ions and charged molecules — •Alexander Rembold, Georg Schütz, Andreas Pooch, and Alexander Stibor — Physikalisches Institut, Tübingen, Germany

Realizing an ion interferometer opens up possibilities for new experiments in connection with Aharonov-Bohm physics. The large experience for guiding and detecting charged particles can be adopted from electron interferometry. We present the design and the current status in the construction of the first reliable, stable and intensive ion-interferometer for helium ions, based on [1]. In our setup a new technique allows for a coherent ion emission from a pyramidal shaped single-atom tip. The beam is separated and recombined by a fine charged biprism wire. The longitudinal coherence is adjusted by a Wien-filter and the interference pattern is detected after a quadrupole magnification by a delayline detector. Such a novel interferometer combines the advantages of electron, atom and molecule interferometry: efficient emission and detection, good beam guiding and the study of structure dependent effects, especially connected to the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect. As it will be proposed, the lower velocity of the ions compared to electrons allows the first direct proof of the electrostatic Aharonov-Bohm effect. The described interferometer can potentially be used to interfere particles with significantly higher masses, such as organic molecules.

[1] F. Hasselbach and U. Maier, 1999 Quantum Coherence and Decoherence, ISQM, Tokyo, p. 299