We derive the quantum limits for an atomic interferometer from a second-quantized theory in which the atoms obey either Bose-Einstein or Fermi-Dirac statistics. It is found that the limiting quantum noise is due to the uncertainty associated with the particle sorting between the two branches of the interferometer, and that this noise can be reduced in a sufficiently dense atomic beam by using fermions as opposed to bosons. As an example, the quantum-limited sensitivity of a generic matter-wave gyroscope is calculated and compared with that of a laser gyroscope.

• Received 14 August 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.48.3186