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Experimental Particle and Astro-Particle Physics Seminar
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Europe/Zurich
Description
Abstract: Atom interferometers are among the most precise measurement devices for inertial forces, electromagnetic fields, and fundamental interactions. Their working principle is a beautiful embodiment of the wave-particle duality of matter: while the wave nature of atoms gives rise to interference of the different paths through the interferometer, their particle nature gives rise to fundamental quantum noise in the detection of the resulting interference pattern. For uncorrelated atoms, this leads to the so-called standard quantum limit of interferometric measurement, which limits the sensitivity of today's best instruments. Remarkably, another quantum phenomenon - entanglement - can be harnessed to overcome this limit. I will give an overview of the operating principles and fundamental quantum limits of atom interferometers and show how we can use many-particle entangled states to improve their sensitivity. These techniques open new avenues in fundamental physics, from tests of quantum foundations and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model to probing the interface between quantum physics and gravity.