Numerical simulation of charged wire interferometer for atoms

In recent paper, Nowak et al. report a charged wire interferometer for atoms, and employ analytical method to explain the interference patterns [Phys. Rev. Lett. 81 (1998) 5792]. In this paper, a numerical calculation with semi-classical method is carried out and the experimental patterns are rebuilt very well. The interference patterns are interpreted by path integral. We also calculate the fringe period for different voltages and the agreement with experiment is more rigorous than the analytical expression. Besides, the fringe visibility of the interference patterns at different applied voltages and degrees is also discussed.