Dual matter-wave inertial sensors in weightlessness

Quantum technology based on cold-atom interferometers is showing great promise for fields such as inertial sensing and fundamental physics. However, the finite free-fall time of the atoms limits the precision achievable on Earth, while in space interrogation times of many seconds will lead to unprec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications 2016-12, Vol.7 (1), p.13786-13786, Article 13786
Main Authors: Barrett, Brynle, Antoni-Micollier, Laura, Chichet, Laure, Battelier, Baptiste, Lévèque, Thomas, Landragin, Arnaud, Bouyer, Philippe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Aircraft
Doppler effect
Engineering Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences
Micro and nanotechnologies
Microelectronics
multidisciplinary
Physics
Potassium
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Sensors
Theory of relativity
Velocity
Weightlessness
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Summary:Quantum technology based on cold-atom interferometers is showing great promise for fields such as inertial sensing and fundamental physics. However, the finite free-fall time of the atoms limits the precision achievable on Earth, while in space interrogation times of many seconds will lead to unprecedented sensitivity. Here we realize simultaneous 87 Rb– 39 K interferometers capable of operating in the weightless environment produced during parabolic flight. Large vibration levels (10 −2   g  Hz −1/2 ), variations in acceleration (0–1.8  g ) and rotation rates (5° s −1 ) onboard the aircraft present significant challenges. We demonstrate the capability of our correlated quantum system by measuring the Eötvös parameter with systematic-limited uncertainties of 1.1 × 10 −3 and 3.0 × 10 −4 during standard- and microgravity, respectively. This constitutes a fundamental test of the equivalence principle using quantum sensors in a free-falling vehicle. Our results are applicable to inertial navigation, and can be extended to the trajectory of a satellite for future space missions. Atom interferometers in microgravity environments can reach precisions unattainable on Earth. Here the authors report the operation of a dual species interferometer onboard a zero-G aircraft, testing universality of free fall in microgravity and providing a test bed for future moving inertial sensors.
ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/ncomms13786