Physics Colloquium: Matter-wave interferometers on the atom chip

Abstract: 

Matter-wave interferometry provides an excellent tool for fundamental studies as well as technological applications. In our group, several interferometry experiments have been done with a BEC on an atom chip. I will give a brief description of the advantages of the atom chip, and will then present several of the interferometric schemes, including clock interferometry and Stern-Gerlach interferometry. I will discuss different effects such as gravitational red shift and geometric phases. I will conclude with an outlook concerning ideas for possible tests of exotic physics such as quantum gravity, and mention several speculations which we hope to examine in the future.

Event Organizer: Prof. Lev Vaidman