Research topics

Determination of h/M on atomic rubidium

We use Bloch oscillations to accelerate ultracold rubidium atoms. The measurement of their final velocity is a way to determine very accurately the ratio h/M between the Planck constant and the atomic mass and thus to deduce the fine structure constant. We have accelerated the atoms in a vertical optical lattice and obtained a determination of the fine structure constant with a relative uncertainty of 81 ppt. Our experiment leads to the most precise value of α.

Determination of the fine-structure constant with an accuracy of 81 parts per trillion, Léo Morel, Zhibin Yao, Pierre Cladé, Saïda Guellati-Khelifa
Nature 588, 61–65 (2020)

New concepts in atom interferometer

In recent years new approaches of atom interferometry were proposed to push the sensitivity of such devices beyond the state of the art. The use of an atomic source issued from Bose-Einstein condensate is crucial, both for the realization of large momentum atomic beam splitters and for large-scale atomic interferometers. We are currently using a set-up based on evaporative cooling of Rubidium atoms in dipole trap.

Ytterbium experiment

We are currently building an experimental device to perform interferometry on the Ytterbium atom.

Quantum sensor concept for antihydrogen

The aim of this project is to study interferometry techniques applicable to antihydrogen using the interference between quantum states obtained when an atom bounces off a surface.