A Compact Atom Interferometer for Future Space Missions
Fiodor Sorrentino
(1)
,
Kai Bongs
(2)
,
P. Bouyer
(3)
,
Luigi Cacciapuoti
(4)
,
M. de Angelis
(1)
,
Hansjörg Dittus
(5)
,
Wolfgang Ertmer
(6)
,
A. Giorgini
(1)
,
J. Hartwig
(6)
,
Matthias Hauth
(7)
,
Sven Herrmann
(8)
,
M. Inguscio
(9)
,
E. Kajari
(10)
,
T. Könemann
(8)
,
Claus Lämmerzahl
(8)
,
Arnaud Landragin
(11, 12)
,
G. Modugno
(9)
,
Franck Pereira dos Santos
(11, 12)
,
Achim Peters
(7)
,
M. Prevedelli
(13)
,
Ernst Maria Rasel
(6)
,
Wolfgang P. Schleich
(10)
,
M. Schmidt
(7)
,
Alexander Senger
(7)
,
Klaus Sengstock
(14)
,
Guillaume Stern
(3)
,
Guglielmo M. Tino
(1)
,
R. Walser
(3)
1
UniFI -
Università degli Studi di Firenze = University of Florence = Université de Florence
2 University of Birmingham [Birmingham]
3 TUD - Tech Univ Darmstadt
4 RSSD - Research and Scientific Support Department, ESA-ESTEC
5 DLR - Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt
6 Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover
7 HU Berlin - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin = Humboldt University of Berlin = Université Humboldt de Berlin
8 ZARM - Zentrum für Angewandte Raumfahrttechnologie und Mikrogravitation
9 LENS - European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy
10 Universität Ulm
11 SYRTE - Systèmes de Référence Temps Espace
12 Interférométrie Atomique et Capteurs Inertiels
13 UNIBO - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna = University of Bologna
14 ILP-HU - Institut für Laser-Physik, Universität Hamburg
2 University of Birmingham [Birmingham]
3 TUD - Tech Univ Darmstadt
4 RSSD - Research and Scientific Support Department, ESA-ESTEC
5 DLR - Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt
6 Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover
7 HU Berlin - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin = Humboldt University of Berlin = Université Humboldt de Berlin
8 ZARM - Zentrum für Angewandte Raumfahrttechnologie und Mikrogravitation
9 LENS - European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy
10 Universität Ulm
11 SYRTE - Systèmes de Référence Temps Espace
12 Interférométrie Atomique et Capteurs Inertiels
13 UNIBO - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna = University of Bologna
14 ILP-HU - Institut für Laser-Physik, Universität Hamburg
Arnaud Landragin
- Fonction : Auteur
- PersonId : 738792
- IdHAL : arnaud-landragin
- ORCID : 0000-0002-2941-4982
- IdRef : 157011194
Franck Pereira dos Santos
- Fonction : Auteur
- PersonId : 6778
- IdHAL : franck-pereira-dos-santos
- ORCID : 0000-0003-0659-5028
- IdRef : 092862993
Résumé
Atom interferometry represents a quantum leap in the technology for the ultra-precise monitoring of accelerations and rotations and, therefore, for the science that relies on these 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. This paper describes the current status of the Space Atom Interferometer project (SAI), funded by the European Space Agency. In a multi-pronged approach, SAI 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 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.