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# NIST Atom Interferometry Displays New Quantum Tricks

Atoms interfering with themselves. After ultracold atoms are maneuvered into superpositions--each one located in two places simultaneously--they are released to allow interference of each atom's two "selves." They are then illuminated with light, which casts a shadow, revealing a characteristic interference pattern, with red representing higher atom density. The variations in density are caused by the alternating constructive and destructive interference between the two "parts" of each atom, magnified by thousands of atoms acting in unison.

*PHY

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May 24, 2007

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