Bloch Oscillation Phases investigated by Multi-path Stuckelberg Atom Interferometry

Abstract: Atoms undergoing Bloch oscillations (BOs) in an accelerating optical lattice acquire momentum of two photon recoils per BO. This technique provides a large momentum transfer tool for atom optics, but its full exploitation for atom interferometric sensors requires experimental characterization of associated phases. Each BO involves a Landau-Zener crossing with multiple crossings inducing interference known as Stuckelberg interference. We develop a multi-path Stuckelberg interferometer and investigate atomic phase evolution during BOs, up to 100 photon recoil momentum transfer. We compare to numerically calculated single-particle Schrodinger evolution, demonstrate highly coherent BO sequences, and assess phase stability requirements for BO-enhanced precision interferometry in fundamental physics and sensing applications.