Taking a peek at Bloch oscillations

Abstract

Bloch oscillations arise when matter waves inside a periodic potential, such as a crystal lattice, are accelerated by a constant force. Keßler et al (2016 New J. Phys. 18 102001) have now experimentally tested a method that allows one to observe those oscillations continuously, without a destructive measurement on the matter wave. Their approach could help to make cold atom-based accelerometers and gravimeters more precise.