This project is a continuation of the development of accurate atom interferometers for precision measurements. The determination of h/M, Planck's constant divided by the mass of the atom in the interferometer, will be improved by approximately one order of magnitude from its current accuracy. This will lead to a determination of the fine structure constant alpha with an uncertainty of ~ 0.5 parts per billion. In addition, many particle phenomena of Bose condensed atoms in optical lattices will be studied. Specifically, the creation of non-zero angular momentum states in low occupancy Mott states in an optical lattice is proposed. A signature of these states would be a suppression of the central atomic interference peak upon release of the atoms from the lattice confinement. The broader impact involves the education of future professors, the application of the interferometers to inertial sensing and programs in outreach.
