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astronomical technique > interferometry > atom interferometry

Preferred term

atom interferometry  

Definition

  • An atom interferometer is an interferometer which uses the wave character of atoms. Similar to optical interferometers, atom interferometers measure the difference in phase between atomic matter waves along different paths. Atom interferometers have many uses in fundamental physics including measurements of the gravitational constant, the fine-structure constant, the universality of free fall, and have been proposed as a method to detect gravitational waves. They also have applied uses as accelerometers, rotation sensors, and gravity gradiometers. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom_interferometer)

Broader concept

Entry terms

  • atomic interferometry

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-TPS63SG8-4

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