  We present enabling experimental tools and atom interferometer
implementations in a vertical "fountain" geometry with ytterbium Bose-Einstein
condensates. To meet the unique challenge of the heavy, non-magnetic atom, we
apply a shaped optical potential to balance against gravity following
evaporative cooling and demonstrate a double Mach-Zehnder interferometer
suitable for applications such as gravity gradient measurements. Furthermore,
we also investigate the use of a pulsed optical potential to act as a matter
wave lens in the vertical direction during expansion of the Bose-Einstein
condensate. This method is shown to be even more effective and results in a
reduction of velocity spread (or equivalently an increase in source brightness)
of more than a factor of five, which we demonstrate using a two-pulse
momentum-space Ramsey interferometer. The vertical geometry implementation of
our diffraction beams ensures that the atomic center of mass maintains overlap
with the pulsed atom optical elements, thus allowing extension of atom
interferometer times beyond what is possible in a horizontal geometry. Our
results thus provide useful tools for enhancing the precision of atom
interferometry with ultracold ytterbium atoms.
