Time-domain Ramsey interferometry with Bose–Einstein condensates

Abstract

We report on the observation of time-domain interference with Bose–Einstein condensates, by means of a double separated oscillator technique. We discuss the decay of the Ramsey oscillations amplitude, that in our system occurs on a time scale of tens of microseconds. To elucidate the origin of this fast decay, we compare the behaviour of a condensate with that of a thermal cloud.