QUANTUM-NOISE LIMITS TO MATTER-WAVE INTERFEROMETRY

We derive the quantum limits for an atomic interferometer from a secon d-quantized theory in which the atoms obey either Bose-Einstein or Fer mi-Dirac statistics. It is found that the limiting quantum noise is du e to the uncertainty associated with the particle sorting between the two branches of the interferometer, and that this noise can be reduced in a sufficiently dense atomic beam by using fermions as opposed to b osons. As an example, the quantum-limited sensitivity of a generic mat ter-wave gyroscope is calculated and compared with that of a laser gyr oscope.