Aberrations in (3+1)-dimensional Bragg diffraction using pulsed Laguerre-Gaussian laser beams

Bragg-diffraction-induced imperfections of the signal in retroreflective atom interferometers

“…We again introduce a varying interference signal by adding a phase factor to the outer paths, but none to the central path. Hence, a superposition Ψ 𝑚 ( 𝑝) = e i𝜗 ext /2 𝜓 𝑚,−1,1 + 𝜓 𝑚,0,0 + e −i𝜗 ext /2 𝜓 𝑚,1,−1 (16) is detected and leads to the signal…”

“…In this context, atomic Bragg diffraction has become a versatile tool for enhancing the sensitivity of atom interferometers through techniques like sequential pulses [4][5][6] as well as double [7][8][9] and higher-order diffraction [10][11][12][13]. Because its efficiency crucially depends on the pulse duration, Bragg diffraction favors an intermediate regime where velocity selectivity does not dominate, but spurious diffraction orders may occur [14][15][16][17].…”

“…In contrast to Raman diffraction [25,26], however, (single) Bragg diffraction [27,28] from an optical lattice is not a perfect two-level system, especially in the so-called Raman-Nath (or Kapitza-Dirac) regime [29,30]. Therefore, diffraction into off-resonant higher-order momenta can become relevant [16,17,21,22]. Since velocity selectivity and spurious higher-order diffraction are two competing effects, an intermediate regime is advised [29,31].…”

“…In this context, they can be interpreted as pulse imperfections and diffraction phases as well. Because even resonant first-order Bragg diffraction is inherently not a two-level system, population can be lost to higher off-resonant diffraction orders [15,16,21,31]. Such processes are of particular importance for double Bragg diffraction, where a central path arises with significant population [42].…”

Bragg-diffraction-induced imperfections of the signal in retroreflective atom interferometers

“…In this context, atomic Bragg diffraction has become a versatile tool for enhancing the sensitivity of atom interferometers through techniques like sequential pulses [4][5][6] as well as double [7][8][9] and higher-order diffraction [10][11][12][13]. Because its efficiency crucially depends on the pulse duration, Bragg diffraction favors an intermediate regime where velocity selectivity does not dominate, but spurious diffraction orders may occur [14][15][16][17]. In this article, we study these effects in single and double Bragg interferometry.…”