PhD Defenses

PHYSICS PHD DISSERTATION DEFENSE: Chris Overstreet

Date

Fri May 29th 2020, 10:30am

Ph.D. Candidate:  Chris Overstreet

Research Advisor:  Mark Kasevich

Date:  Friday, May 29, 2020
Time:  10:30 am

Zoom Meeting Link: https://svb.zoom.us/j/92970131988

Zoom Meeting Password: email mariaf67 [at] stanford.edu (mariaf67[at]stanford[dot]edu) for password

Title: Atom-interferometric test of the equivalence principle and observation of a quantum system in curved spacetime

Abstract: Freely falling atoms are ideal test masses with which to observe gravitational effects. Using a 10 meter atomic fountain, we operate an atom interferometer with a long drift time and a large momentum splitting to obtain high acceleration sensitivity. In this talk, I will describe a recent test of the equivalence principle between 85Rb and 87Rb at the 10^-12 level. I will also discuss our measurement of the tidal phase shift in an atom interferometer, which represents the first observation of a quantum system in curved spacetime.