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arXiv · 2507.23052

Wavefront Mapping for Absolute Atom Interferometry

Joseph Junca·John Kitching·William McGehee
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Abstract

Wavefront distortions are a leading source of systematic uncertainty in light-pulse atom interferometry, limiting absolute measurements of gravitational acceleration at the 30 nm/s$^2$ level. Here, we demonstrate in situ spatially resolved measurement of the interferometer phase in a Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer as a tool to characterize and correct wavefront bias. By introducing controllable curvature of the Raman light using an adjustable collimation retro-reflector, we show that the bias due to parabolic wavefront curvature can be measured with 1 mrad uncertainty and that finite-size corrections impact the measured phase curvature. This measurement process could be adopted in optimized atom interferometer gravimeters to reduce wavefront bias uncertainty below the nm/s$^2$ level.

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Joseph Junca, John Kitching, William McGehee. 2025-07-30. Wavefront Mapping for Absolute Atom Interferometry. https://doi.org/10.1103/2c2j-qhkd

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