Laser cooling is used to cool dilute vapours of sodium atoms to 2mK. Passing the

Question

Laser cooling is used to cool dilute vapours of sodium atoms to 2mK. Passing them through multiple apertures forms an atomic beam, that is injected into the atom interferometer shown on the right. The standing light waves are created with a laser at ? = 532nm.

A. How far apart are points B and C if the second standing wave is 20cm after the first?

B.  Because Interference is observed between the two paths, each atom is apparently present at both points B and C. Describe in your own words what this experiment tells you about the nature of matter.

Explanation / Answer

Here, d * sin(theta) = n * lambda

=>     sin(theta) =   1 * 532 * 10-9/(0.01472 * 10-3)

=> diffraction angle = 2.071 degree

=>   Far apart are points B and C =    sin2.071 * 20

                                               = 0.722 cm

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