arXiv · quant-ph/0312187
Sagnac interferometry based on ultra-slow polaritons in cold atomic vapors
Abstract
The advantages of light and matter-wave Sagnac interferometers -- large area on one hand and high rotational sensitivity per unit area on the other -- can be combined utilizing ultra-slow light in cold atomic gases. While a group-velocity reduction alone does not affect the Sagnac phase shift, the associated momentum transfer from light to atoms generates a coherent matter-wave component which gives rise to a substantially enhanced rotational signal. It is shown that matter-wave sensitivity in a large-area interferometer can be achieved if an optically dense vapor at sub-recoil temperatures is used. Already a noticeable enhancement of the Sagnac phase shift is possible however with much less cooling requirements.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
F. Zimmer, M. Fleischhauer. 2003-12-23. Sagnac interferometry based on ultra-slow polaritons in cold atomic vapors. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.92.253201
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.