Interferometer-type structures for guided atoms

Interferometer-type guiding structures is demonstrated for neutral atoms based on dipole potentials created by micro-fabricated optical systems. As a central element, an array of atom waveguides is used, being formed by focusing a red-detuned laser beam with an array of cylindrical microlenses. Combining two of these arrays, X-shaped beam splitters and more complex systems like the geometries for Mach-Zehnder and Michelson-type interferometers for atoms are realized. With these elements versatile and integrated atom optical devices can be created in a compact fashion.