Berlin 2014 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 2: Matter wave optics I

Q 2.4: Talk

Monday, March 17, 2014, 11:15–11:30, DO26 208

Influence of the orientation state in matter-wave interferometry with large molecules — •Benjamin A. Stickler, Stefan Nimmrichter, and Klaus Hornberger — Faculty of Physics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Lotharstrasse 1 - 21, Duisburg

Near field matter-wave interferometry with optical phase gratings has been achieved with complex molecules of masses up to 10⁴ amu [1]. Experiments with even larger and heavier molecules will be realized in the near future. Their theoretical description requires one to go beyond the point particle approximation and to incorporate orientation-dependent molecule-grating interactions. Starting from the simplified scenario of a linear rigid rotor rotating around a single fixed axis, we develop a quantum scattering theory description of the interference of arbitrarily shaped molecules. Here, we focus on optical phase grating interactions. The prospects and limitations of this approach, as well as experimental accessible signatures of the orientation state, will be discussed.

[1] K. Hornberger, S. Gerlich, P. Haslinger, S. Nimmrichter, and M. Arndt; Colloquium: Quantum interference of clusters and molecules, Rev. Mod. Phys 84, 157 (2012).