Atom Interferometry: Principles and Applications

Interferometry with light has proven to be the most sensitive technique for measurement of certain physical phenomena. The classic example of such a sensitivity is the LIGO detector. Matter wave interferometry promises to enhance the sensitivity of interferometers by several orders of magnitude.

In a matter wave interferometer, the roles of light and matter are reversed. Here, light plays the role of ‘mirrors’ or ‘beam splitters’. Interferometers based upon laser cooled atoms are being used for various applications like sensing of rotations and accelerations. Choosing the right atoms will also allow us to sense electric and magnetic fields more precisely.

An acceleration sensor based upon matter wave interferometry configured to measure
gravitational acceleration (a Gravimeter) is an extremely useful and powerful tool in geophysics, mineral resourcing, civil engineering, hydrology among others.