Space magnetometry with a differential atom interferometer
Atomic Physics
2025-05-30 v1 Quantum Gases
Quantum Physics
Abstract
Atom interferometers deployed in space are excellent tools for high precision measurements, navigation, or Earth observation. In particular, differential interferometric setups feature common-mode noise suppression and enable reliable measurements in the presence of ambient platform noise. Here we report on orbital magnetometry campaigns performed with differential single- and double-loop interferometers in NASA's Cold Atom Lab aboard the International Space Station. By comparing measurements with atoms in magnetically sensitive and insensitive states, we have realized atomic magnetometers mapping magnetic field curvatures. Our results pave the way towards precision quantum sensing missions in space.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2505.23532,
title = {Space magnetometry with a differential atom interferometer},
author = {Matthias Meister and Gabriel Müller and Patrick Boegel and Albert Roura and Annie Pichery and David B. Reinhardt and Timothé Estrampes and Jannik Ströhle and Enno Giese and Holger Ahlers and Waldemar Herr and Christian Schubert and Éric Charron and Holger Müller and Jason R. Williams and Ernst M. Rasel and Wolfgang P. Schleich and Naceur Gaaloul and Nicholas P. Bigelow},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2505.23532},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
20 pages, 8 figures