SAI: a compact atom interferometer for future space missions
Abstract
Atom interferometry represents a quantum leap in the technology for the ultra-precise monitoring of accelerations and rotations and, therefore, for all the science that relies on the latter quantities. These sensors evolved from a new kind of optics based on matter-waves rather than light-waves and might result in an advancement of the fundamental detection limits by several orders of magnitude. Matter-wave optics is still a young, but rapidly progressing science. The Space Atom Interferometer project (SAI), funded by the European Space Agency, in a multi-pronged approach aims to investigate both experimentally and theoretically the various aspects of placing atom interferometers in space: the equipment needs, the realistically expected performance limits and potential scientific applications in a micro-gravity environment considering all aspects of quantum, relativistic and metrological sciences. A drop-tower compatible prototype of a single-axis atom interferometry accelerometer is under construction. At the same time the team is studying new schemes, e.g. based on degenerate quantum gases as source for the interferometer. A drop-tower compatible atom interferometry acceleration sensor prototype has been designed, and the manufacturing of its subsystems has been started. A compact modular laser system for cooling and trapping rubidium atoms has been assembled. A compact Raman laser module, featuring outstandingly low phase noise, has been realized. Possible schemes to implement coherent atomic sources in the atom interferometer have been experimentally demonstrated.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1003.1481,
title = {SAI: a compact atom interferometer for future space missions},
author = {Fiodor Sorrentino and Kai Bongs and Philippe Bouyer and Luigi Cacciapuoti and Marella de Angelis and Hansjorg Dittus and Wolfgang Ertmer and Antonio Giorgini and Jonas Hartwig and Matthias Hauth and Sven Herrmann and Massimo Inguscio and Endre Kajari and Thorben K\{ae}nemann and Claus L\{ae}mmerzahl and Arnaud Landragin and Giovanni Modugno and Frank Pereira dos Santos and Achim Peters and Marco Prevedelli and Ernst M. Rasel and Wolfgang P. Schleich and Malte Schmidt and Alexander Senger and Klaus Sengstok and Guillaume Stern and Guglielmo M. Tino and Reinhold Walser},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1003.1481},
year = {2010}
}