Atom optics with Bose–Einstein condensates: quantum reflection and interferometry

Atom Optics with Giant Quantum Reflection From a Solid Surface

Quantum reflection of an atomic wave from a solid surface is caused by the attractive van der Waals force acting on the atom near the surface. The researchers had previously verified the quantum reflection of a cold neon atomic beam from a silicon surface. In this research they demonstrate the first known reflective atom-optical elements that use natural interaction of a solid surface, or attra...

Quantum and Atom Optics

Quantum atom optics with bosons and fermions

Atom interferometry with trapped Bose–Einstein condensates: impact of atom–atom interactions

Interferometry with ultracold atoms promises the possibility of ultraprecise and ultrasensitive measurements in many fields of physics, and is the basis of our most precise atomic clocks. Key to a high sensitivity is the possibility to achieve long measurement times and precise readout. Ultracold atoms can be precisely manipulated at the quantum level and can be held for very long times in trap...

Atomic optics, Bose-Einstein condensates and atom lasers

In 1992, with the backing of CNRS, Alain Aspect founded the atomic optics group at the Institut d’Optique at Orsay, with Nathalie Westbrook and Robin Kaiser, and later Christoph Westbrook. Atomic optics is a new field of research which aims to use the forces exerted by lasers on atoms to control their paths, in the same way as traditional optics controls light rays with mirrors and lenses. From...