A high-flux BEC source for mobile atom interferometers

Quantum sensors based on coherent matter-waves are precise measurement devices whose ultimate accuracy is achieved with Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in extended free fall. This is ideally realized in microgravity environments such as drop towers, ballistic rockets and space platforms. However, t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:New journal of physics 2015-06, Vol.17 (6), p.65001
Main Authors: Rudolph, Jan, Herr, Waldemar, Grzeschik, Christoph, Sternke, Tammo, Grote, Alexander, Popp, Manuel, Becker, Dennis, Müntinga, Hauke, Ahlers, Holger, Peters, Achim, Lämmerzahl, Claus, Sengstock, Klaus, Gaaloul, Naceur, Ertmer, Wolfgang, Rasel, Ernst M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
atom interferometry
Atomic beams
Ballistic missiles
Bose-Einstein condensates
Drop towers
equivalence principle
Flux
Free fall
Interferometers
Laser cooling
Measuring instruments
Microgravity
Multilayers
Physics
Quantum sensors
Robust design
Robustness
Rockets
Space stations
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Summary:Quantum sensors based on coherent matter-waves are precise measurement devices whose ultimate accuracy is achieved with Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in extended free fall. This is ideally realized in microgravity environments such as drop towers, ballistic rockets and space platforms. However, the transition from lab-based BEC machines to robust and mobile sources with comparable performance is a challenging endeavor. Here we report on the realization of a miniaturized setup, generating a flux of quantum degenerate 87Rb atoms every 1.6 s. Ensembles of atoms can be produced at a 1 Hz rate. This is achieved by loading a cold atomic beam directly into a multi-layer atom chip that is designed for efficient transfer from laser-cooled to magnetically trapped clouds. The attained flux of degenerate atoms is on par with current lab-based BEC experiments while offering significantly higher repetition rates. Additionally, the flux is approaching those of current interferometers employing Raman-type velocity selection of laser-cooled atoms. The compact and robust design allows for mobile operation in a variety of demanding environments and paves the way for transportable high-precision quantum sensors.
ISSN:1367-2630
1367-2630
DOI:10.1088/1367-2630/17/6/065001