Rosen-Zener interferometry with Ultracold Atoms

We propose a time-domain “interferometer” based on ultracold Bose atoms loaded on a double well potential. By the adiabatic Rosen-Zener process, the barrier between two wells is ramped down slowly, held for a while, then ramped back. Starting with a coherent state of double well system, the final occupations on one well show interesting interference fringes in the time-domain. The fringe pattern is sensitive to the initial state, the interatomic interaction, and the external forces such as gravity which can change the shape of the double well. In this sense, this interferometric scheme has the potentials for precision measurements with ultracold atoms. The underlying mechanism is revealed and possible applications are discussed.