TY - UNPB

T1 - SAI

T2 - a compact atom interferometer for future space missions

AU - Sorrentino, Fiodor

AU - Bongs, Kai

AU - Bouyer, Philippe

AU - Cacciapuoti, Luigi

AU - Angelis, Marella de

AU - Dittus, Hansjorg

AU - Ertmer, Wolfgang

AU - Giorgini, Antonio

AU - Hartwig, Jonas

AU - Hauth, Matthias

AU - Herrmann, Sven

AU - Inguscio, Massimo

AU - Kajari, Endre

AU - K\{ae}nemann, Thorben

AU - L\{ae}mmerzahl, Claus

AU - Landragin, Arnaud

AU - Modugno, Giovanni

AU - Santos, Frank Pereira dos

AU - Peters, Achim

AU - Prevedelli, Marco

AU - Rasel, Ernst M.

AU - Schleich, Wolfgang P.

AU - Schmidt, Malte

AU - Senger, Alexander

AU - Sengstok, Klaus

AU - Stern, Guillaume

AU - Tino, Guglielmo M.

AU - Walser, Reinhold

PY - 2010/3/7

Y1 - 2010/3/7

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - physics.space-ph

M3 - Preprint

BT - SAI

ER -