title: Matter-wave interferometer for large molecules.
abstract: We demonstrate a near-field Talbot-Lau interferometer for C70 fullerene molecules. Such interferometers are particularly suitable for larger masses. Using three free-standing gold gratings of 1 microm period and a transversally incoherent but velocity-selected molecular beam, we achieve an interference fringe visibility of 40% with high count rate. Both the high visibility and its velocity dependence are in good agreement with a quantum simulation that takes into account the van der Waals interaction of the molecules with the gratings and are in striking contrast to a classical moiré model.
authors.affiliation: Universität Wien, Institut für Experimentalphysik, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Wien, Austria.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brezger
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hackermüller
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uttenthaler
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petschinka
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arndt
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeilinger