Berlin 2014 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 9: Matter wave optics II

Q 9.3: Talk

Monday, March 17, 2014, 14:30–14:45, DO26 208

Laser gratings in matter wave interferometry — •Kai Walter and Klaus Hornberger — Fakultät für Physik, Universität Duisburg-Essen

A viable way of exploring the limit of quantum physics is to probe matter-wave interference with large particles [1]. In such experiments a standing wave laser grating is often used, rather than a material mask, because of its perfect periodicity and high transmission. For this purpose it is important to account for the different types of interaction between a particle and the laser field. Large particles are usually highly polarizable and thus experience a strong phase modulation due to the laser-dipole interaction. On the other hand, the particles can also absorb laser photons, which is an incoherent process. Moreover, a metastable excited state with higher polarizability and larger absorbtion cross section can also play a role. The interplay of these effects, which can be described by a Lindblad type master equation, will be discussed by means of a concrete experimental setup.

[1] M. Arndt et al., Nature Physics 3, 711 - 715 (2007)