Wavefront Mapping for Absolute Atom Interferometry
Abstract
Wavefront distortions are a leading source of systematic uncertainty in light-pulse atom interferometry, limiting absolute measurements of gravitational acceleration at the 30 nm/s^{2} level. Here, we demonstrate in situ spatially resolved measurement of the interferometer phase in a Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer as a tool to characterize and correct wavefront bias. By introducing controllable curvature of the Raman light using an adjustable collimation retro-reflector, we show that the bias due to parabolic wavefront curvature can be measured with 1 mrad uncertainty and that finite-size corrections impact the measured phase curvature. This measurement process could be adopted in optimized atom interferometer gravimeters to reduce wavefront bias uncertainty below the nm/s^{2} level.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
Advanced Materials Characterization Techniques
Quantum Information and Cryptography
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physical Review Letters
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 14
- Pages
- 143402–143402
- Publication date
- 12 March 2026
- Language
- EN