How do atomic three-grating Mach-Zehnder interferometers work?

摘要: The relationship between position and momentum in quantum mechanics formally translates into a Fourier transform the (configuration) representations of wave function. These two are usually introduced without proper physical contextualization. Here this issue is tackled by means simple pedagogical analysis atomic three-grating Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This provides clear picture how both intertwine as well an easy way to understand physics underpinning type interferometers. Bearing mind undergraduate courses, working model gratings consisting evenly-spaced Gaussian slits has been considered. allows explore involved these interferometers fashion combining analytical results numerical simulations. A wavefront splitting process inside interferometer thus provided, illustrating defined along each diffraction order spite complexity exhibited diffracted configuration space. key point simplified models commonly used literature describe interferometers, where particular shape function neglected only carried relevant orders For completeness, role third grating measure transmitted flux also analyzed discussed.