Atomic interference patterns in the transverse plane - art. no. 033602

A quadrupolar static magnetic field used as a phase object in a Stern-Gerla ch atom interferometer produces phase shifts proportional to the distance t o the zero-field line, As a consequence the transverse intensity profile of the atomic beam beyond the interferometer is modulated by an interference pattern which is a "phase portrait" of the field configuration; This patter n-a central bright spot surrounded by annular fringes-can be translated as a whole in any transverse direction by adding a homogeneous field to the qu adrupolar field. These effects have been investigated experimentally with a beam of metastable hydrogen atoms H*(2s), either by measuring the atom flu x through a fixed slit or by scanning the beam profile through a movable ho le. The results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.