This research project will explore several frontiers of atom interferometry. For example, the work will develop an innovative technique for dispersion compensation, one that might be useful for waveguide interferometers as well, and will dramatically enhance the dynamic range of inertial sensors built with material atom optics. Molecule interferometry and the atom-surface interaction measurements carried out as part of the project will have an impact in chemical physics. Proposed measurements of decoherence due to atom-atom interactions will be used to understand the challenges for large-scale quantum computation. The proposed measurements of polarizability of all the alkali atoms with 0.01% precision will become a benchmark for atomic transition matrix elements predicted by atomic many-body theory. The same theory is needed for interpreting atomic parity violation measurements as a test of the standard model. Thus, measurements of polarizability in cesium will help reduce the uncertainty due to atomic structure theory in these fundamental tests for new physics beyond the standard model. Similar theory used to predict atom-atom van der Waals interaction strengths, optical index of refraction, and atomic lifetimes will benefit from this proposed research. Additional broader impact involves student education and community outreach.
