New York University

Creation and direct imaging of atomic density gratings

Abstract: In an atom interferometer, the atomic center of mass wave-function is split into several paths that are later recombined. The relative phase shift acquired between these paths results in a fringe pattern of total atomic density. For large momentum differences between these paths, the period of the resulting atomic grating can be a small fraction of a laser wavelength. An absorptive imaging mask, known as an optical mask has been applied to a de-Broglie wave interferometer setup to directly image the spatial profile of these structures. This work improved our understanding of the quantum behavior of atoms in light fields, while the periodic structures generated may have practical applications in atom lithography.