Modelling of Precision Light-Pulse Atom Interferometers with Distorted Wavefronts*

Wavefront aberrations are one of the leading systematics in current state-of-the-art atom interferometry experiments. We simulate the impact of different wavefront aberrations at every interrogation pulse on the final phase of an atom interferometer with two different models. One is based on Feynman’s path integral method to find analytical dephasings for simplified scenarios. It was extended by taking into account the change in the transferred momentum and the imprinted laser phase caused by the wavefront aberrations.

The other model discretizes the wave function in position space and uses the split-step method to numerically solve the Schrödinger equation. In contrast to the first method this model simulates the finite duration of beam splitters which has a measurable impact on the final phase of the interferometer. Since this position space model also includes coherent diffraction effects and its computational complexity is largely independent of the specific wavefront aberration it will be an invaluable tool for understanding atom interferometers in the future.