Abstract

Spatial coherences are measured by means of a new atom interferometry technique. First, a coherent superposition of the Zeeman components of the atom is built by means of well- controlled magnetic interactions [1]. Second, pulsed inhomogeneous magnetic fields are employed to coherently separate and reunite the atomic sub-states via the Stern-Gerlach induced forces. Finally, atomic interferences fringes are recorded on the state-selected outcoming sample by changing the spatial separation. This method bears strong similarities with the Fourier-transform spectroscopy of light. The interferogram visibility curve yields the atom sample spatial coherences (Fig. 1). For example, when the applied magnetic gradients are parallel to the atom trajectory, one gets the coherence length by varying the overlap of the separated wavepackets. Several experiments on cold cesium atoms have been performed and will be presented. Furthermore, we have used our “magnetic cooling” method [2] to prepare the atom cloud upstream from the interferometer. Large enhancements of the coherence length are demonstrated.

© 2000 IEEE