Magnetic Waveguide for Atom Interferometry and Inertial Navigation Applications

Yun-Jhih Chen, Elizabeth A. Donley, Azure Hansen +1 more

Yun-Jhih Chen, Azure Hansen, Gregory W. Hoth +3 more

Hugh F. Rice, Vincent Benischek

Atom Interferometry is a next generation navigation technology based on Nobel Prize winning research into atom laser cooling and coherent atom waves. The technology is applicable to inertial navigation sensors: gyroscopes, accelerometers, gravity gradiometers and precision time. This paper discusses the theory of free fall atom interferometry, and its application as the inertial navigator for future submarine platforms.

Wilbert Rooijakkers, Mukund Vengalattore, Mara Goff Prentiss

Wei Chun-hu

With the progress of laser cooling and other atom optics technologies, the cold atom interferometry gyroscope based on cold atom wave is developing rapidly, and it promises to be a novel gyroscope technology in inertial navigation areas. The research status of cold atom interferometry gyroscope and the principle of atom interferometry are introduced, and a comparative analysis of the characteristics among the three distinct types of cold atom interferometry gyroscopes in Stanford University, Observatoire de Paris and Hanover University is carried out. The improving schemes and developing prospects of cold atom interferometry gyroscope are discussed by focusing on its current limitations, aiming at its wider application in inertial navigation fields.

Joseph Thom