title: Time-of-flight detection of ultra-cold atoms using resonant frequency modulation imaging.
abstract: Resonant frequency modulation imaging is used to detect free falling ultra-cold atoms. A theoretical comparison of fluorescence imaging (FI) and frequency modulation imaging (FMI) is made, indicating that for low optical depth clouds, FMI accomplished a higher signal-to-noise ratio under conditions necessary for a 200 μm spatially resolved atom interferometer. A 750 ms time-of-flight measurement reveals near atom shot-noise limited number measurements of 2×106Bose-condensed Rb87 atoms. The detection system is applied to high precision spinor BEC based atom interferometer.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hardman
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Wigley
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Everitt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manju
authors.forename: C C N
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Robins