Abstract:We discuss the concept of an all-optical and ionizing matter-wave interferometer in the time domain. The proposed setup aims at testing the wave nature of highly massive clusters and molecules, and it will enable new precision experiments with a broad class of atoms, using the same laser system. The propagating particles are illuminated by three pulses of a standing ultraviolet laser beam, which detaches an electron via efficient single photon-absorption. Optical gratings may have periods as small as 80 nm, le… Show more
“…However, we estimate that quantum interference with gold nanoclusters of 10 6 amu will require a pressure of less than 10 −9 mbar (Nimmrichter et al, 2011a).…”
Section: B Collisional Decoherencementioning
confidence: 85%
“…Current estimates of the strength of the CSL effect by Adler (2007) and Bassi et al (2010) locate its value between 10 −12 Hz and 10 −8 Hz, which also ensures that the CSL predictions are consistent with all currently known micro-and mesoscopic quantum phenomena. Nimmrichter et al (2011a) have shown that the OTIMA interference experiment outlined in Sect. III.C should be able to test the predictions of CSL with nanoparticles in the mass range between 10 6 amu and 10 8 amu.…”
Section: Exploring New Physics With Mesoscopic Matter Wavesmentioning
confidence: 93%
“…Single-photon ionization in the antinodes of the standing wave removes clusters from the incident particle cloud, acting similarly as the massive bars of a material grating. Operated in the time-domain and using short and precisely timed laser pulses, the OTIMA concept avoids many phase averaging effects (Nimmrichter et al, 2011a).…”
Section: Concept Of Talbot-lau Interferometrymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The use of pulsed optical gratings also allows one to implement an interferometer in the time-domain as discussed in detail by Nimmrichter et al (2011a). Timedomain interferometry was first proposed by Moshinski (1952) for neutrons.…”
Section: Interferometry With Pulsed Optical Gratings (Otima)mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Thus, the better the probing gas particles can resolve the separation between the interference paths, the stronger the (Ghirardi et al, 1990) in the OTIMA interferometer (Nimmrichter et al, 2011a) with gold clusters. For a mass beyond 10 6 amu the experiments would already rule out a significant value range of the localization parameters λ and rc of the model.…”
We review recent progress and future prospects of matter wave interferometry with complex organic molecules and inorganic clusters. Three variants of a near-field interference effect, based on diffraction by material nanostructures, at optical phase gratings, and at ionizing laser fields are considered. We discuss the theoretical concepts underlying these experiments and the experimental challenges. This includes optimizing interferometer designs as well as understanding the role of decoherence. The high sensitivity of matter wave interference experiments to external perturbations is demonstrated to be useful for accurately measuring internal properties of delocalized nanoparticles. We conclude by investigating the prospects for probing the quantum superposition principle in the limit of high particle mass and complexity.
“…However, we estimate that quantum interference with gold nanoclusters of 10 6 amu will require a pressure of less than 10 −9 mbar (Nimmrichter et al, 2011a).…”
Section: B Collisional Decoherencementioning
confidence: 85%
“…Current estimates of the strength of the CSL effect by Adler (2007) and Bassi et al (2010) locate its value between 10 −12 Hz and 10 −8 Hz, which also ensures that the CSL predictions are consistent with all currently known micro-and mesoscopic quantum phenomena. Nimmrichter et al (2011a) have shown that the OTIMA interference experiment outlined in Sect. III.C should be able to test the predictions of CSL with nanoparticles in the mass range between 10 6 amu and 10 8 amu.…”
Section: Exploring New Physics With Mesoscopic Matter Wavesmentioning
confidence: 93%
“…Single-photon ionization in the antinodes of the standing wave removes clusters from the incident particle cloud, acting similarly as the massive bars of a material grating. Operated in the time-domain and using short and precisely timed laser pulses, the OTIMA concept avoids many phase averaging effects (Nimmrichter et al, 2011a).…”
Section: Concept Of Talbot-lau Interferometrymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The use of pulsed optical gratings also allows one to implement an interferometer in the time-domain as discussed in detail by Nimmrichter et al (2011a). Timedomain interferometry was first proposed by Moshinski (1952) for neutrons.…”
Section: Interferometry With Pulsed Optical Gratings (Otima)mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Thus, the better the probing gas particles can resolve the separation between the interference paths, the stronger the (Ghirardi et al, 1990) in the OTIMA interferometer (Nimmrichter et al, 2011a) with gold clusters. For a mass beyond 10 6 amu the experiments would already rule out a significant value range of the localization parameters λ and rc of the model.…”
We review recent progress and future prospects of matter wave interferometry with complex organic molecules and inorganic clusters. Three variants of a near-field interference effect, based on diffraction by material nanostructures, at optical phase gratings, and at ionizing laser fields are considered. We discuss the theoretical concepts underlying these experiments and the experimental challenges. This includes optimizing interferometer designs as well as understanding the role of decoherence. The high sensitivity of matter wave interference experiments to external perturbations is demonstrated to be useful for accurately measuring internal properties of delocalized nanoparticles. We conclude by investigating the prospects for probing the quantum superposition principle in the limit of high particle mass and complexity.
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