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Microgravity Science and Technology

A Compact Atom Interferometer for Future Space Missions

Fiodor Sorrentino, Kai Bongs, Philippe Bouyer, L. Cacciapuoti, Marella de Angelis, H. Dittus, Wolfgang A. Ertmer, A. Giorgini, J. Hartwig, Matthias Hauth, Sven Herrmann, M. Inguscio, E. Kajari, Thorben Könemann, Cláus Lämmerzahl, Arnaud Landragin, Giovanni Carlo Modugno, Franck Pereira dos Santos, Achim Peters, M. Prevedelli, Ernst Maria Rasel, Wolfgang P. Schleich, Malte G. Schmidt, Alexander Senger, K. Sengstock, Guillaume Stern, Guglielmo Maria Tino, R. Walser

Published Sep 22, 2010• 59 citations
Publisher
DOI
10.1007/s12217-010-9240-7

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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.
The optical system is a complex and precise subsystem for the atom interferometer (AI), especially for those used in field or space applications. Here, we introduce the design of the optical system of the China Space Station atom interferometer (CSSAI). The scheme is optimized to reduce the complexity while maintaining the capability to achieve dual-species AI. It features a fused silica optical bench with bonding technology, ensuring compactness and smaller thermal deformation. Spatial structures are designed to isolate the vibration and transfer the heat. After assembling, the optical system has a size of 250 mm × 240 mm × 104 mm and weighs 5.2 kg. After installing in the CSSAI, it passed the thermal and mechanical tests and then launched to the China Space Station (CSS). The output laser power changes are less than 15% from ground to space, and its long-term fluctuations are less than 2.5% for months in space. Cold atom preparation and interference are also realized in space. This optical system is extremely integrated and robust, which provides a foundation for the design of future cold atom payloads in space.
Matter-wave interferometry with cold atoms offers a competitive tool for absolute measurements of acceleration and rotation. The sensitivity of atom-interferometric gyroscopes depends on the area enclosed by the interferometer. In this contribution, we present a concept for a rotation sensor, utilizing a multi-loop interferometer geometry to achieve a scalable area while maintaining a compact setup. It enables rotation measurements of a single axis on ground and can be extended to measure rotations along all three spatial axes in microgravity, for potential applications in space missions, Earth observation, and navigation systems.