Abstract
The interaction of an atomic beam with four traveling-wave laser beams leads to optically induced Ramsey fringes in the atomic beam. This experimental setup has been used as an optical frequency standard as well as a matter-wave interferometer. We calculate for two-level atoms the shift of the fringes due to the influence of fairly general external forces in lowest order of a perturbation approach. A comparison with the phase shift found in a corresponding WKB treatment of the interaction geometry is made. The consequences of beam reversal and cooling of the atomic beam are studied. As an application, we treat the linear acceleration and rotation of the interferometer and discuss the influence of space-time curvature.
- Received 25 November 1992
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.47.4441
©1993 American Physical Society