Abstract
Matter wave interferometry is becoming an increasingly important technique in quantum metrology. However, unlike its photonic counterpart, this technique relies on the interference of particles possessing a nonzero rest mass and an electric charge. Matter waves can therefore experience alterations in their wavelike features while propagating through uniform fields to which a linear potential can be attributed, e.g., the Newtonian gravitational potential. Here, we derive the propagation kernel attributed to matter waves within such a potential. This kernel thereafter allows us to provide analytical formulations for structured matter waves subjected to a linear potential. Our formulations are in agreement with both the classical dynamics attributed to such waves and with previous interferometry experiments. Eigenbasis representations of structured matter waves are also introduced along with their application to enhanced interferometric measurements. Our results are not only relevant to matter wave interferometry, but also emphasize its fundamental differences with respect to photonic interferometry.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 023628 |
Journal | Physical Review A |
Volume | 99 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 27 Feb 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2019 American Physical Society.
Funding
This work was supported by Ontario's Early Researcher Award (ERA), Canada Research Chairs (CRC), and the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program (Q-SORT), Grant No. 766970. R.F. acknowledges financial support of a Banting postdoctoral fellowship of the NSERC.
Funders | Funder number |
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European Union's Horizon 2020 | |
R.F. | |
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme | 766970 |
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | |
Canada Research Chairs | CRC |