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A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 32: Precision Measurements: Atom Interferometry II (joint session Q/A)
A 32.7: Talk
Friday, March 10, 2023, 16:00–16:15, F342
Optical simulations for highly sensitive atom interferometry — •Gabriel Müller, Stefan Seckmeyer, and Naceur Gaaloul — Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover
Using atom interferometers as highly sensitive quantum sensors requires both precise understanding and control of their main building block: atom light interactions. To properly describe the atom light interactions we need an accurate description of the laser-driven light fields. Distortions of ideal Gaussian beams on their path to the atoms can cause several disturbing effects. For example, the occurrence of asymmetric optical dipole forces acting on the atoms can cause a loss of contrast. Here, we build an optical simulation tool using Fast-Fourier-transform beam propagation methods to take into account arbitrarily shaped obstacles. We compare these results, on small scales, to solutions of Maxwell’s equations finding good agreement. Finally, we apply our optical simulations to guide the design of the next unit of NASA’s Earth-orbiting Cold Atom Lab and DESIRE, a microgravity experiment searching for Dark Energy.
This work is supported by DLR funds from the BMWi (50WM2245A-CAL-II and 50WM2253A-(AI)2).