Atomic-position resolution by quadrature-field measurement

An atom passing through a standing light field imparts a position-dependent phase shift to the field. By making a phase-sensitive measurement of the field, it is possible to resolve the atom’s position to much less than the wavelength of the light. The field measurement results in the creation of virtual slits, and diffraction and interference phenomena may be observed. The phase measurements give welcher Weg information and enable ‘‘quantum-eraser’’ experiments to be realized.