Delocalization-enhanced Bloch oscillations and driven resonant tunneling in optical lattices for precision force measurements

In this paper, we describe and compare different methods used for the accurate determination of forces acting on matter-wave packets in optical lattices. The quantum interference nature responsible for the production of both Bloch oscillations and coherent delocalization is investigated in detail. We study conditions for the optimal detection of Bloch oscillation for a thermal ensemble of cold atoms with a large velocity spread. We report on the experimental observation of resonant tunneling in an amplitude-modulated optical lattice up to the sixth harmonic with Fourier-limited linewidth. We then explore the fundamental and technical phenomena which limit both the sensitivity and the final accuracy of the atomic force sensor at a 10−7 precision level [ Poli et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 106 038501 (2011)], with an analysis of the coherence time of the system. We address a few simple setup changes to go beyond the current accuracy.