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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

Developments toward atomic quantum sensors

Tim van Zoest, T. Müller, Thijs Wendrich, Michael Gilowski, Ernst Maria Rasel, Thorben Könemann, Cláus Lämmerzahl, H. Dittus, Anika Vogel, Kai Bongs, K. Sengstock, Wojciech Lewoczko-Adamczyk, Achim Peters, T. Steinmetz, Jakob Reichel, G. Nandi, Wolfgang P. Schleich, R. Walser, Wolfgang A. Ertmer

Published Feb 8, 2007• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this proceeding we present ongoing projects concerning high resolution measurements developed for future space missions based on ultracold atoms at the Institut fur Quantenoptik (IQ) of the Leibniz-Universitat Hannover. This work involves the realization of a Bose Einstein condensate in microgravitational environment and an inertial atomic quantum sensor.

DOI
10.1117/12.704287

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In this proceeding we present ongoing projects concerning high resolution measurements developed for future space missions based on ultracold atoms at the Institut fur Quantenoptik (IQ) of the Leibniz-Universitat Hannover. This work involves the realization of a Bose Einstein condensate in microgravitational environment and an inertial atomic quantum sensor.
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Since the possibility of trapping and cooling neutral atoms, ultracold quantum gases have shifted boundaries in a growing field of modern physics based on the first observation of Bose-Einstein condensates in 1995 and appreciated by the Nobel Prizes in 1997 and 2001. The current developments in the domain of atom optics lead to an utilization of ultracold quantum matter techniques in unique practical applications as high-precision atomic clocks, atom interferometer technologies and inertial sensing instruments for gravity field mapping, underground structure detection, autonomous navigation, as well as precision measurements in fundamental physics. The expectations of even higher precision measurements can be performed by arbitrarily extending the time of unperturbed evolution of those quantum systems. In respect thereof weightlessness provides an outstanding basis for such applications and measurements. Motivated by these prospects, many national and international groups have initialized research programs aiming for compact, transportable and ruggedly designed atom-optical experiments, which might be launched in parabolic flights and space applications. Thanks to an easy access to low gravity on earth, realization of quantum degenerated gases in excellent microgravity conditions at the Drop Tower Bremen opened a new kind of perspectives on atom-optical experiments, e.g., to currently achieve longest expansion times of Bose-Einstein condensates within the QUANTUS pilot project (up to one second). Thus, ultracold quantum matter in an environment of weightlessness represents an emerging area of science in quantum engineering with an impressive potential for a future technology and multidisciplinary applications.
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This paper explores the applications of quantum atomtronics with Bose-Einstein condensates in the creation of sensors for ultraprecise measurements of gravity, rotation, and velocity. We define key principles from quantum mechanics, discuss the field of quantum atomtronics, and outline the experimental setups required for such studies. Finally, we highlight the future trajectory of this field by examining advanced research in axion detection and space experiments conducted on the International Space Station, as well as the possibility of incorporating machine learning and image recognition systems to automate the readout of atomtronic interferometers.