%0 Journal Article
%T Advances in precision contrast interferometry with Yb Bose-Einstein condensates
%A Alan O. Jamison
%A Benjamin Plotkin-Swing
%A Subhadeep Gupta
%J Physics
%D 2014
%I arXiv
%R 10.1103/PhysRevA.90.063606
%X Using a three-path contrast interferometer (CI) geometry and laser-pulse diffraction gratings, we create the first matter-wave interferometer with ytterbium (Yb) atoms. We present advances in contrast interferometry relevant to high-precision measurements. By comparing to a traditional atom interferometer, we demonstrate the immunity of the CI to vibrations for long interaction times (> 20 ms). We characterize and demonstrate control over the two largest systematic effects for a high-precision measurement of the fine structure constant via photon recoil with our interferometer: diffraction phases and atomic interactions. Diffraction phases are an important systematic for most interferometers using large-momentum transfer beam splitters; atomic interactions are a key concern for any BEC interferometer. Finally, we consider the prospects for a future sub-part per billion photon recoil measurement using a Yb CI.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1404.6028v2