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arXiv:2003.12516 · AVS Quantum Science

High-accuracy inertial measurements with cold-atom sensors

Rémi Geiger, Arnaud Landragin, Sébastien Merlet, Franck Pereira dos Santos

Published Jun 1, 2020• 215 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The research on cold-atom interferometers gathers a large community of about 50 groups worldwide both in the academic and now in the industrial sectors. The interest in this sub-field of quantum sensing and metrology lies in the large panel of possible applications of cold-atom sensors for measuring inertial and gravitational signals with a high level of stability and accuracy. This review presents the evolution of the field over the last 30 years and focuses on the acceleration of the research effort in the last 10 years. The article describes the physics principle of cold-atom gravito-inertial sensors as well as the main parts of hardware and the expertise required when starting the design of such sensors. The author then reviews the progress in the development of instruments measuring gravitational and inertial signals, with a highlight on the limitations to the performances of the sensors, on their applications and on the latest directions of research.

DOI
10.1116/5.0009093

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The past three decades have shown dramatic progress in the ability to manipulate and coherently control the motion of atoms. This exquisite control offers the prospect of a new generation of inertial sensors with unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy, which will be important for both fundamental and applied science. In this article, we review some of our recent results regarding the application of atom interferometry to inertial measurements using compact, mobile sensors. This includes some of the first interferometer measurements with cold 39^{39}39K atoms, which is a major step toward achieving a transportable, dual-species interferometer with rubidium and potassium for equivalence principle tests. We also discuss future applications of this technology, such as remote sensing of geophysical effects, gravitational wave detection, and precise tests of the weak equivalence principle in Space.
After 30 years of academic research in cold atom sciences, intensive developments are being conducted to improve the compactness and the reliability of experimental set-ups in order to transfer such devices from laboratory-based research to an operational utilization outside of the laboratory. We will present the long-lasting developments that we have been carrying to provide the first industrial cold-atom absolute gravimeter and the first industrial cold-atom atomic clock. We will present in detail the principles of operation and the main features of our instruments. Their performances in terms of sensitivity, stability and accuracy and the latest results they achieved will be reviewed. We will then discuss their use to support other research activities. One of the key technology elements of such instruments that need to be addressed is the laser system used to cool down and manipulate the atoms. A specific focus on our latest developments in this area in terms of performances will be proposed.
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