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arXiv:1907.04403 · Physical Review A

Zero-velocity atom interferometry using a retroreflected frequency-chirped laser

Isadora Perrin, Jeanne Bernard, Yannick Bidel, Alexis Bonnin, Nassim Zahzam, C. Blanchard, Alexandre Bresson, Malo Cadoret

Published Nov 21, 2019• 24 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Atom interferometry using stimulated Raman transitions in a retroreflected configuration is the first choice in high-precision measurements because it provides low phase noise, a high-quality Raman wave front, and a simple experimental setup. However, it cannot be used for atoms at zero velocity because two pairs of Raman lasers are simultaneously resonant. Here we report a method which allows this degeneracy to be lifted by using a frequency chirp on the Raman lasers. Using this technique, we realize a Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer hybridized with a force balanced accelerometer which provides horizontal acceleration measurements with a short-term sensitivity of $3.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{m}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$. This technique could be used for multiaxis inertial sensors, tiltmeters, or atom interferometry in a microgravity environment.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.100.053618

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Atom interferometry using stimulated Raman transitions in a retroreflected configuration is the first choice in high-precision measurements because it provides low phase noise, a high-quality Raman wave front, and a simple experimental setup. However, it cannot be used for atoms at zero velocity because two pairs of Raman lasers are simultaneously resonant. Here we report a method which allows this degeneracy to be lifted by using a frequency chirp on the Raman lasers. Using this technique, we realize a Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer hybridized with a force balanced accelerometer which provides horizontal acceleration measurements with a short-term sensitivity of 3.2\ifmmode×\else\texttimes\fi10\ensuremath−5ms\ensuremath−2/Hz3.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{m}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}3.2\ifmmode×\else\texttimes\fi10\ensuremath−5ms\ensuremath−2/Hz​. This technique could be used for multiaxis inertial sensors, tiltmeters, or atom interferometry in a microgravity environment.
We report on the experimental demonstration of a horizontal accelerometer based on atom interferometry using counterpropagative Raman transitions between the states $|F=1,{m}_{F}=\ensuremath{\mp}1\ensuremath{\rangle}$ and $|F=2,{m}_{F}=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1\ensuremath{\rangle}$ of 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb. Compared to the $|F=1,{m}_{F}=0\ensuremath{\rangle}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}|F=2,{m}_{F}=0\ensuremath{\rangle}$ transition usually used in atom interferometry, our scheme presents the advantages of having only a single counterpropagating transition allowed in a retroreflected geometry, using the same polarization configuration as the magneto-optical trap, and allowing the control of the atom trajectory with magnetic forces. We demonstrate horizontal acceleration measurement in a close-to-zero velocity regime using a single-diffraction Raman process with a short-term sensitivity of $25\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ m ${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}2} {\mathrm{Hz}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$ and resolution down to $3.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ m ${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ at an integration time of 3300 s. We discuss specific features of the technique such as spontaneous emission, light shifts, and effects of magnetic field inhomogeneities. We finally give possible applications of this technique in metrology or for cold-atom inertial sensors dedicated to onboard applications.
Matter-wave interferometry has enabled high precision measurements of inertial forces such as gravity and the Coriolis force. This is facilitated by the long-term stability of the physical properties of atoms and lasers. Recent experiments have demonstrated the operation of portable, robust sensors using atom interferometry. This has potential uses in the context of inertial navigation, where conventional devices suffer from long-term drifts due to bias instability. Furthermore, determining position via dead reckoning requires minimisation of dead time between measurements. This thesis presents the development of an atom interferometer for measuring horizontal accelerations. In this configuration, gravity induces motion across the laser wavefront, which constrains the tolerable level of wavefront distortions. Effective control of the experiment allows the interferometer to be operated at a rate of 4 Hz. A cold ensemble of 10^6 atoms in the same internal state is prepared in 150 ms. The interferometer operates using a sequence of three laser pulses separated by T= 25 ms to achieve sensitivity to horizontal accelerations. Combining this with a classical accelerometer provides a method of correcting for vibration-induced noise, as well as determining the interferometer fringe order. After an integration time of 40 s, the sensitivity to horizontal accelerations is better than 3^-6 m s^-2. Effects which limit this sensitivity are discussed.
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\,μμm/s2/Hz^2/\sqrt{\rm Hz}2/Hz​, 300 μ\,μμrad/s/Hz\sqrt{\rm Hz}Hz​, and 4 μ\,μμrad/Hz\sqrt{\rm Hz}Hz​, respectively. This work paves the way toward deployable multiaxis atom interferometers for geodesy, geology, or inertial navigation.
The presented thesis describes the setting up of an inertial sensitive atom interferometer for navigation using Rubidium 87 atoms, which is able to perform horizontal acceleration measurement. An ultra-high vacuum interferometer chamber is designed and built. The cold atoms are prepared in a compact 2D MOT setup and loaded into the main MOT. These atoms are then cooled down to few K and prepared in a magnetically insensitive ground state using a sequence of optical and microwave pulses, after which atoms are selected in a narrow band of the velocity. A three-pulse Mach-Zehnder ( pi/2 -pi-pi/2) interferometer using stimulated Raman transitions is used to measure the horizontal acceleration. To improve the sensitivity to acceleration, the fringe contrast of the interferometer requires to be optimised. By investigating the intensity profile of the Raman beams using atoms, a procedure is developed to operate the interferometer in an improved condition, which is able to enhance the fringe contrast by a factor of 3. This procedure improves the shot-to-shot sensitivity of the interferometer below 5 um/s^2. In addition, the atom interferometer is compared with a classical state-of-the-art accelerometer.
The frequency chirp for Doppler correction applied to Raman beams during Mach Zehnder interferometry is a good indicator of the precise measurement of acceleration due to gravity experienced by the ultra-cold atomic ensemble. In general, the frequency chirp rate is scanned for the interferometry central fringe for Gravimetry applications. Precise measurement of chirp rate is of paramount importance to measure the phase difference between the interference arms and in turn measure the gravity by accuracy of 10−6m/s2. We present a homodyne interferometry technique to precisely measure the chirp rates applied to the Raman beams. This scheme uses conventional sensors/detectors and performs well in their limited dynamic range or bandwidth. Our analysis allows us to measure and characterize the chirp rate, which we find in perfect agreement with expected values.