Optically guided linear Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer

We demonstrate a horizontal, linearly guided Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer in an optical waveguide. Intended as a proof-of-principle experiment, the interferometer utilizes a Bose-Einstein condensate in the magnetically insensitive vertical bar F = 1, m(F) = 0 > state of Rb-87 as an acceleration-sensitive test mass. We achieve a modest sensitivity to acceleration of Delta(a) = 7 x 10(-4) m/s(2). Our fringe visibility is as high as 38% in this optically guided atom interferometer. We observe a time of flight in the waveguide of over 0.5 s, demonstrating the utility of our optical guide for future sensors. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.87.013632