SINGLE AND DOUBLE INTERACTION ZONE WITH COMOVING FIELDS IN STERN-GERLACH ATOM INTERFEROMETRY

We present two applications of the use, in Stern-Gerlach interferometr y with metastable hydrogen atoms, of comoving magnetic fields, i.e. fi elds travelling at atomic velocites, which could allow us to reach the slow-atom domain. In the first application, atoms interact with a sin gle extended zone of comoving B-field. A velocity coherent filtering e ffect is demonstrated and characterized. In the second one, atoms inte ract with a double zone of comoving B-field. This Ramsey's type config uration takes advantage of the fact that the sensitivity of the appara tus with respect to velocity changes is significantly enhanced.