Abstract
We use Bloch oscillations in a horizontal moving standing wave to transfer a large number of photon recoils to atoms with a high efficiency ( per cycle). By measuring the photon recoil of , using velocity-selective Raman transitions to select a subrecoil velocity class and to measure the final accelerated velocity class, we have determined with a relative precision of 0.4 ppm. To exploit the high momentum transfer efficiency of our method, we are developing a vertical standing wave setup. This will allow us to measure better than and hence the fine structure constant with an uncertainty close to the most accurate value coming from the () determination.
- Received 17 November 2003
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.253001
©2004 American Physical Society