Neutral Atom deBroglie-Wave Interferometry

The research program is to study the spatial wave-like character of freely propagating neutral-atom matter-waves (deBroglie waves). To do so, we are constructing and using a neutral-atom matter-wave interferometer. An atomic beam will be decelerated and cooled by conventional laser spontaneous cooling. It will be extracted from the laser cooling apparatus and fed through a series of micro-fabricated transmission gratings, which will serve as an interferometer, and thence to a detector.