2020/12/11 by Rustin Nourshargh, Samuel Lellouch, Nourshargh, R. +9
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Frequency and Time Standards #Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph) #Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #FOS: Physical sciences
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2012.06426
openalex publication_date 2020/12/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Large scale atom interferometers promise unrivaled strain sensitivity to midband (0.1 - 10 Hz) gravitational waves, and will probe a new parameter space in the search for ultra-light scalar dark matter. These atom interferometers require a momentum separation above 104 ℏ k between interferometer arms in order to reach the target sensitivity. Prohibitively high optical intensity and wavefront flatness requirements have thus far limited the maximum achievable momentum splitting. We propose a scheme for optical cavity enhanced atom interferometry, using circulating, spatially resolved pulses, and intracavity frequency modulation to overcome these limitations and reach 104 ℏ k momentum separation. We present parameters suitable for the experimental realization of 104 ℏ k splitting in a 1 km interferometer using the 698 nm clock transition in 87Sr, and describe performance enhancements in 10 m scale devices operating on the 689 nm intercombination line in 87Sr. Although technically challenging to implement, the laser and cloud requirements are within the reach of upcoming cold-atom based interferometers. Our scheme satisfies the most challenging requirements of these sensors and paves the way for the next generation of high sensitivity, large momentum transfer atom interferometers.