ATOMIC INTERFERENCES IN A COMOVING MAGNETIC-FIELD

The use of comoving magnetic fields in Stern-Gerlach atom interferomet ry allows, in principle, one to reach a range of very low kinetic ener gies (a few tens of neV); it also allows the device to be used as an i nterference filter for atomic waves. The technique used to produce suc h fields moving at atomic velocities is described. Experimental interf erence patterns obtained with a beam of H(2S) atoms are in good agree ment with the calculations, which clearly demonstrates the feasibility of the method.