Atom interferometry
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 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.
Essai