Spatial matter-wave interference via adiabatic recombination of atomic wave packets - art. no. 023608

We propose and analyze an all-optical atomic beam splitter based on a multi step adiabatic passage in a "tripod" atomic lever configuration. The spatia l interference patterns obtained may exhibit extremely fine structure due t o splittings of many times the photon momentum. The visibility of the obtai ned interference pattern is also shown to exhibit collapses and revivals as the distance from the interaction region is varied.