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arXiv:1707.08693 · Optica

Multiaxis atom interferometry with a single-diode laser and a pyramidal magneto-optical trap

Xiaojing Wu, Fei Zi, Jordan Dudley, Ryan Bilotta, Philip Canoza, Holger Müller

Published Dec 19, 2017• 108 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Atom interferometry has become one of the most powerful technologies for precision measurements. To develop simple, precise, and versatile atom interferometers for inertial sensing, we demonstrate an atom interferometer measuring acceleration, rotation, and inclination by pointing Raman beams toward individual faces of a pyramidal mirror. Only a single diode laser is used for all functions, including atom trapping, interferometry, and detection. Efficient Doppler-sensitive Raman transitions are achieved without the velocity selecting the atom sample, and with zero differential AC Stark shift between the cesium hyperfine ground states, increasing signal-to-noise and suppressing systematic effects. We measure gravity along two axes (vertical and 45$^\circ$ to the vertical), rotation, and inclination with sensitivities of 6$\,μ$m/s$^2/\sqrt{\rm Hz}$, 300$\,μ$rad/s/$\sqrt{\rm Hz}$, and 4$\,μ$rad/$\sqrt{\rm Hz}$, respectively. This work paves the way toward deployable multiaxis atom interferometers for geodesy, geology, or inertial navigation.

DOI
10.1364/optica.4.001545

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We demonstrate a scheme for atom interferometry to measure multiple axes of accelerations and rotations based on a single-diode laser and a pyramidal magneto-optical trap. The atom interferometer is constructed based on a simple and robust design. Additionally, with zeroed AC Stark shift, efficient Raman transition has been achieved by use of modest laser intensity and a small single photon detuning. By irradiating Raman beams toward not only the whole pyramid but also individual pyramidal faces, multiaxis atom interferometers have been operated. As a demonstration, the vertical interferometer measures the gravity with a sensitivity of 6 μm/s2 /√Hz and one interferometer along the diagonal axis observes the long-term tilt drift of the platform with a sensitivity of 4 μrad/√Hz. As a gyroscope, the atom interferometer along the diagonal axis achieves a sensitivity of 300 μrad/s/√Hz. This work paves the way toward compact, precise and multiaxis atom interferometers for geodesy, geology, or inertial navigation.
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A rotation-rate sensor was developed using atom interferometry and the Sagnac effect for matter waves. This device has a short-term sensitivity of 6× 10−10 rad/sec for a 1 second integration time, which is the best publicly reported value to date. It has high intrinsic accuracy because it relies on interactions between atoms and laser light that is stabilized to an atomic transition. Long-term stability is promising and characterization is currently underway. Potential applications include inertial navigation, geophysical studies, and general relativity tests such as verification of the Lense-Thirring and geodetic effects. The principle of operation is as follows: A thermal cesium atomic beam crosses three laser interaction regions where two-photon stimulated Raman transitions between cesium ground states transfer momentum to atoms and divide, deflect, and recombine the atomic wavepackets. Rotation induces a phase shift between the two possible trajectories and causes a change in the detected number of atoms with a particular internal state. Counterpropagating atomic beams form two interferometers using shared lasers for common-mode rejection, and the rotation phase shifts have opposite sign since the phase shift is proportional to the vector velocity of the atoms. Therefore, subtracting or adding the interferometer signals discriminates between rotation and transverse acceleration summed with laser arbitrary phase. Furthermore, in the inertial reference frame of the atoms, rotations Doppler-shift the Raman lasers. Adding Raman frequency shifts to cancel these Doppler-shifts allows operation at an effective zero rotation rate, improving sensitivity and bandwidth. Modulating these frequency shifts facilitates sensitive lock-in detection readout techniques.
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