Atom Interferometer

Matter-wave de Broglie interference reveals rotation and gravity with extraordinary precision
Mach-Zehnder Atom Interferometer
Phase shift: Δφ = 0.00 rad  |  Signal: 50%
Sagnac: ΔΦ_rot = 4π m A Ω / h
Gravity: ΔΦ_grav = k_eff · g · T²
de Broglie: λ = h/mv (atoms, λ ≈ 0.1 nm)
Interference Fringes at Detector
An atom beam is split by a π/2 pulse, the two paths enclose an area A, then recombined. Any phase difference — from rotation, gravity, or other inertial effects — shifts the fringes.
Atom interferometers measure g to 1 part in 10⁹, detect rotation at 6×10⁻¹⁰ rad/s — surpassing ring laser gyroscopes. Used to test the equivalence principle and measure G.