From single- to multiple-pPhoton decoherence in an atom interferometer.
We measure the decoherence of a spatially separated atomic superposition due to spontaneous photon scattering. We observe a qualitative change in decoherence versus separation as the number of scattered photons increases, and verify quantitatively the decoherence rate constant in the many-photon limit. Our results illustrate an evolution of decoherence consistent with general models developed for a broad class of decoherence phenomena.
Kokorowski
D A
DA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
Cronin
A D
AD
Roberts
T D
TD
Pritchard
D E
DE