Quantum Optics Seminar: Thomas Fernholz, University of Nottingham

State-dependent transport and dispersive detection of RF-dressed atoms

On our quest to building a compact atom-interferometric gyroscope, I will present our approach of using fully confined atoms in spatial superposition. We have recently achieved state-dependent transport of atoms in opposite directions around a closed loop on an atom chip, using radio-frequency dressed potentials. I will discuss our current limitations and prospects for achieving the necessary coherence times to perform Sagnac interferometry. The type of trapping potential also offers an interesting opportunity for dispersive low-noise detection of atom numbers, which may lead to projection noise limited performance and allow for measurement induced squeezing of the input state to the interferometer.