From single- to multiple-photon decoherence in an atom interferometer

Authors
Kokorowski, DA Cronin, AD Roberts, TD Pritchard, DE
Citation
Da. Kokorowski et al., From single- to multiple-photon decoherence in an atom interferometer, PHYS REV L, 86(11), 2001, pp. 2191-2195
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
ISSN journal
00319007 → ACNP
Volume
86
Issue
11
Year of publication
2001
Pages
2191 - 2195
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-9007(20010312)86:11<2191:FSTMDI>2.0.ZU;2-5
Abstract
We measure the decoherence of a spatially separated atomic superposition du e to spontaneous photon scattering. We observe a qualitative change in deco herence versus separation as the number of scattered photons increases, and verify quantitatively the decoherence rate constant in the many-photon lim it. Our results illustrate an evolution of decoherence consistent with gene ral models developed for a broad class of decoherence phenomena.