Development of a high-flux Ca atom interferometer

We present progress towards a Ca atom interferometer. The device will utilize a thermal beam of atoms for simplicity and high signals. The atom waves will be split and recombined using a single-photon transition at a wavelength of 657 nm. A unique alignment scheme will be used to reduce systematic drifts due to Doppler shifts. We are currently working to improve the linewidth of the 657 nm laser and constructing a 423 nm blue laser to transversely cool the atoms and to detect the output of the interferometer. We are also characterizing a thermal Ca beam using laser absorption and working on precise control of the temperature and flux of the beam. We are also evaluating a precision method to align the thermal beam relative to gravity using Fraunhofer diffraction.