Polychromatic atom optics for atom interferometry

Abstract Coherent manipulation of atoms with atom-optic light pulses is central to atom interferometry. Achieving high pulse efficiency essential for enhancing fringe contrast and sensitivity, in particular large-momentum transfer interferometers which use an increased number pulses. We perform investigation optimizing the frequency domain by using tailored polychromatic fields, demonstrate possibility deliver high-efficiency resilient even situation inhomogeneous atomic clouds laser beams. find that this approach able operate over long interrogation times despite spontaneous emission achieve experimentally relevant efficiencies up $100~\mu \text{K}$ 100 μ K . This overcomes some most stringent barriers has potential reduce complexity interferometers. show could enhance single-photon-based interferometry—achieving $850\,\hbar k$ 850 ħ k momentum splitting accessible parameters, represents a significant improvement state-of-the art. The benefits method extend beyond interferometry enable groundbreaking advances quantum state manipulation.