Matter-wave interferometer for large molecules

Phys Rev Lett. 2002 Mar 11;88(10):100404. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.100404. Epub 2002 Feb 26.

Abstract

We demonstrate a near-field Talbot-Lau interferometer for C70 fullerene molecules. Such interferometers are particularly suitable for larger masses. Using three free-standing gold gratings of 1 microm period and a transversally incoherent but velocity-selected molecular beam, we achieve an interference fringe visibility of 40% with high count rate. Both the high visibility and its velocity dependence are in good agreement with a quantum simulation that takes into account the van der Waals interaction of the molecules with the gratings and are in striking contrast to a classical moiré model.