Ramsey Interferometry

Separated oscillating fields method (Norman Ramsey, 1949): two π/2 pulses probe transition frequencies with high precision, the heart of atomic clocks.

Specifications & Metrics

type

Interferometry

originator

Norman Ramsey

introduced

1949

Core Principles & Analysis

• Developed in 1949 by Norman Ramsey, building on earlier ideas, as the separated oscillating fields method.
• It splits one interaction zone into two very short π/2 pulses separated by a much longer non-interaction zone.
• Atoms spend a much shorter time in the presence of external electromagnetic fields than in the Rabi model, which is advantageous for precision.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Ramsey interferometry