Eur. Phys. J. D 58, 369-377 (2010)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2010-00114-8

Ramsey-Bordé interferometer and embedded Ramsey interferometer with molecular matter waves of ³⁹K₂

¹ Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover, Germany
² Present address: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Bundesallee 100, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany

Corresponding author: ^a knoeckel@iqo.uni-hannover.de

Received: 18 September 2009
Revised: 14 January 2010
Published online: 5 May 2010

Abstract

A matter wave interferometer based on a molecular beam of K₂ has been designed for observation of both exits: with molecules in the electronically excited state and in the ground state. In addition to the excited state fluorescence the molecular ground state population is detected with a further laser. Two transitions to different electronic states were employed for this purpose and their usefulness is compared. Under the present experimental conditions both interferometer exits show a superposition of different interference patterns due to the influence of transverse and longitudinal overlaps of the interfering matter waves. The interference patterns have been analyzed to be composed of a contribution caused by a two beam splitter Ramsey interference and Ramsey-Bordé pattern with four beam splitters. This overlap of interference signals influences the suitability of the matter wave interferometer for phase measurements of the interferences.