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Robust Atom Interferometry with Double Bragg Diffraction

arXiv Quantum Physics
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A new theoretical framework for high-contrast atom interferometry using double Bragg diffraction (DBD) resolves long-standing limitations like imperfect diffraction and contrast loss, enabling precision inertial sensing. The work introduces an analytic Hamiltonian model incorporating Doppler effects and polarization imperfections, using truncated Magnus expansion to derive simplified two- and five-level systems for error analysis. A tri-frequency laser scheme with dynamic detuning control—employing linear sweeps and optimal-control pulses—achieves near-ideal beam-splitter and mirror performance, ensuring robustness against experimental flaws. Full 3D simulations via GPU-accelerated UATIS reveal transverse effects and polarization distortions in interacting Bose-Einstein condensates, extending beyond prior 1D non-interacting models. The findings validate DBD’s potential for space-based quantum tests of fundamental physics, offering a path to ultra-precise measurements in microgravity environments.
Robust Atom Interferometry with Double Bragg Diffraction

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Quantum Physics arXiv:2603.22385 (quant-ph) [Submitted on 23 Mar 2026] Title:Robust Atom Interferometry with Double Bragg Diffraction Authors:Rui Li View a PDF of the paper titled Robust Atom Interferometry with Double Bragg Diffraction, by Rui Li View PDF Abstract:This thesis develops a general theoretical and numerical framework for achieving high-contrast atom interferometry based on double Bragg diffraction (DBD). While DBD offers intrinsic symmetry, reduced sensitivity to internal-state systematics, and suitability for microgravity experiments, its performance has long been limited by imperfect diffraction and contrast loss. This work overcomes these limitations by constructing an analytic Hamiltonian description of DBD -- including Doppler effects and polarization imperfections -- and by deriving reduced two- and five-level models via a truncated Magnus-expansion approach. These models clarify the origin of AC-Stark shifts, polarization-induced errors, and Doppler selectivity, and they provide accurate predictions for realistic input momentum distributions. Building on this theoretical foundation, the thesis introduces a tri-frequency laser scheme with dynamically tunable detuning and evaluates different detuning-control strategies using a five-level S-matrix formalism. Linear detuning sweeps and optimal-control pulses are shown to provide near-ideal beam-splitter and mirror performance, respectively, ensuring robust contrast across a wide range of experimental imperfections. Complementary full three-dimensional simulations using the GPU-accelerated Universal Atom Interferometer Simulator (UATIS) incorporate interacting Bose-Einstein condensates and realistic optical potentials, revealing transverse effects and polarization-induced distortions that extend the predictions of the one-dimensional non-interacting models. Taken together, this thesis establishes a coherent theoretical and numerical framework demonstrating that, with appropriate detuning control, double-Bragg atom interferometers can achieve the robustness required for precision inertial sensing and future space-based quantum tests of fundamental physics. Comments: Subjects: Quantum Physics (quant-ph) Cite as: arXiv:2603.22385 [quant-ph] (or arXiv:2603.22385v1 [quant-ph] for this version) https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2603.22385 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration) Related DOI: https://doi.org/10.15488/20733 Focus to learn more DOI(s) linking to related resources Submission history From: Rui Li [view email] [v1] Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:25:46 UTC (19,473 KB) Full-text links: Access Paper: View a PDF of the paper titled Robust Atom Interferometry with Double Bragg Diffraction, by Rui LiView PDF view license Current browse context: quant-ph new | recent | 2026-03 References & Citations INSPIRE HEP NASA ADSGoogle Scholar Semantic Scholar export BibTeX citation Loading... BibTeX formatted citation × loading... Data provided by: Bookmark Bibliographic Tools Bibliographic and Citation Tools Bibliographic Explorer Toggle Bibliographic Explorer (What is the Explorer?) Connected Papers Toggle Connected Papers (What is Connected Papers?) Litmaps Toggle Litmaps (What is Litmaps?) scite.ai Toggle scite Smart Citations (What are Smart Citations?) Code, Data, Media Code, Data and Media Associated with this Article alphaXiv Toggle alphaXiv (What is alphaXiv?) Links to Code Toggle CatalyzeX Code Finder for Papers (What is CatalyzeX?) DagsHub Toggle DagsHub (What is DagsHub?) GotitPub Toggle Gotit.pub (What is GotitPub?) Huggingface Toggle Hugging Face (What is Huggingface?) Links to Code Toggle Papers with Code (What is Papers with Code?) ScienceCast Toggle ScienceCast (What is ScienceCast?) Demos Demos Replicate Toggle Replicate (What is Replicate?) Spaces Toggle Hugging Face Spaces (What is Spaces?) Spaces Toggle TXYZ.AI (What is TXYZ.AI?) Related Papers Recommenders and Search Tools Link to Influence Flower Influence Flower (What are Influence Flowers?) Core recommender toggle CORE Recommender (What is CORE?) Author Venue Institution Topic About arXivLabs arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website. Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them. Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs. Which authors of this paper are endorsers? | Disable MathJax (What is MathJax?)

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Source: arXiv Quantum Physics