Phase-sensitive imaging of cold atoms at the shot-noise limit

Light, P.Perrella, C.Luiten, A.2013-06-212013-06-212013Applied Physics Letters, 2013; 102(17):1-50003-69511077-3118http://hdl.handle.net/2440/78445Extent: 5p.We demonstrate simultaneous phase and amplitude imaging of cold atoms using an intrinsically stable interferometer based on polarization beam-displacers. This method allows for the straight-forward retrieval of absorption and phase-shift experienced by an optical probe transmitted through an atomic sample. Furthermore, we show that our technique has a signal-to-noise ratio limited only by photon shot-noise.en© 2013 AIP Publishing LLCPhase-sensitive imaging of cold atoms at the shot-noise limitJournal article002012819610.1063/1.48037030003185530000082-s2.0-8487724963419626Light, P. [0000-0003-3873-7991]Perrella, C. [0000-0002-6140-9323]Luiten, A. [0000-0001-5284-7244]