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STE-QUEST atom interferometer (AI) payload overview

Thilo Schuldt

Published Jan 1, 2013• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

The STE-QUEST Weak Equivalence Principle test is based on a differential measurement between two atom interferometers, operating with Rb85 and Rb87, respectively, where the accelerations of the two atom clouds under the influence of the Earth’s gravity field are compared simultaneously. As both atom interferometers are operated at the same time, also using the same optical components, a high common-mode rejection is achieved. The instrument design is based on the expertise of the consortium, which includes the DLR-funded cold atom experiments QUANTUS (QUANTengase Unter Schwerelosigkeit) and MAIUS (Materiewelleninterferometrie Unter Schwerelosigkeit), both operated in drop-tower experiments, and the CNES-funded experiment I.C.E. (Interférométrie Cohérente pour l‘Espace) operated in zero-g parabola flights. For STEQUEST, Bose-Einstein- Condensates (BECs) are prepared in a hybrid trap (atom chip + optical dipole trap), which is beneficial with respect to power, mass and dimensions.

Related papers

STE-QUEST—test of the universality of free fall using cold atom interferometry

D N Aguilera, H Ahlers, Baptiste Battelier +63 more

The theory of general relativity describes macroscopic phenomena driven by the influence of gravity while quantum mechanics brilliantly accounts for microscopic effects. Despite their tremendous individual success, a complete unification of fundamental interactions is missing and remains one of the most challenging and important quests in modern theoretical physics. The STE-QUEST satellite mission, proposed as a medium-size mission within the Cosmic Vision program of the European Space Agency (ESA), aims for testing general relativity with high precision in two experiments by performing a measurement of the gravitational redshift of the Sun and the Moon by comparing terrestrial clocks, and by performing a test of the Universality of Free Fall of matter waves in the gravitational field of Earth comparing the trajectory of two Bose-Einstein condensates of Rb85 and Rb87. The two ultracold atom clouds are monitored very precisely thanks to techniques of atom interferometry. This allows to reach down to an uncertainty in the Eötvös parameter of at least 2x10E-15. In this paper, we report about the results of the phase A mission study of the atom interferometer instrument covering the description of the main payload elements, the atomic source concept, and the systematic error sources.

arXiv:1312.5980•Classical and Quantum Gravity•May 20, 2014•184 citations

STE-QUEST:A space-based equivalence principle test using atom interferometry

Gaaloul, Naceur, Ernst Maria Rasel, Ertmer, Wolfgang +7 more

The atom interferometry test of the Weak Equivalence Principle is based on a differential measurement performed by two atom interferometers simultaneously probing the acceleration experienced by two clouds of two different atomic species. STE-QUEST will make pair wise comparisons between the two isotopes of rubidium while it orbits around the Earth. Testing the universality of free fall at a level of one part in 10-15 implies a measurement of the differential acceleration between the two atomic species at the same level of precision.

•Jan 1, 2012•0 citations

STE-QUEST—test of the universality of free fall using cold atom interferometry

D. N. Aguilera, et al

The theory of general relativity describes macroscopic phenomena driven by the influence of gravity while quantum mechanics brilliantly accounts for microscopic effects. Despite their tremendous individual success, a complete unification of fundamental interactions is missing and remains one of the most challenging and important quests in modern theoretical physics. The spacetime explorer and quantum equivalence principle space test satellite mission, proposed as a medium-size mission within the Cosmic Vision program of the European Space Agency (ESA), aims for testing general relativity with high precision in two experiments by performing a measurement of the gravitational redshift of the Sun and the Moon by comparing terrestrial clocks, and by performing a test of the universality of free fall of matter waves in the gravitational field of Earth comparing the trajectory of two Bose-Einstein condensates of 85Rb and 87Rb. The two ultracold atom clouds are monitored very precisely thanks to techniques of atom interferometry. This allows to reach down to an uncertainty in the Eötvös parameter of at least 2 × 10-15. In this paper, we report about the results of the phase A mission study of the atom interferometer instrument covering the description of the main payload elements, the atomic source concept, and the systematic error sources.

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The QUANTUS consortium started activities to perform atom interferometry on a sounding rocket in the year 2011. Three sounding rocket missions (MAIUS-1 to 3) have been planned to demonstrate Bose-Einstein condensation and atom interferometry with rubidium and potassium atoms. Two different payloads MAIUS-A and MAIUS-B are being designed, qualified and integrated in the time frame from 2011 until 2020. Based on this heritage the “Student Experiments with Cold Atoms for Microgravity Platforms” (SECAMP) project has been started at the University of Bremen. The scope of the project is to design and built a payload for student experiments with cold atoms on multiple micro-gravity and hyper-gravity platforms. The apparatus shall allow the generation of a molasses of Rubidium-87 atoms and observation of the cooled atoms through fluorescence imaging in three perpendicular axes. This will enable detecting the movement of the atoms due to (residual) accelerations once the magneto-optical trap is switched off. As such the setup will form a simple accelerometer. The payload shall be designed to be suitable for operation on hyperbolic flights, the drop tower, sounding rockets and centrifuges allowing the participants to apply for the manifold national and European student programs on these platforms. This talk will give an overview on the current design and the requirements imposed by the different platforms. Moreover the student team and their role in the project will be presented and the current status of the project will be highlighted.

•Oct 1, 2018•1 citation

FINAL DESIGN OF THE MAIUS-2/3 PAYLOAD AN ATOM INTERFEROMETER ON ASOUNDING ROCKET

Michael Elsen, Jens Große, Thijs Wendrich +7 more

In January 2017 a first sounding rocket mission housing experiments on matter-wave interferometry, MAIUS-1 (Materiewellen-Interferometrie unter Schwerelosigkeit Matter-Wave Interferometry under Microgravity), has been launched. Following this campaign, two sounding rocket missions, MAIUS-2 and MAIUS-3, are planned to perform sequential and simultaneous dual-species atom interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) of Potassium-41 and Rubidium-87. The scientific payload of the MAIUS missions will be launched on-board a VSB-30 sounding rocket launched from Esrange in Sweden. The ights of these rockets allows for approximately 360 s of microgravity conditions. It therefore overs a microgravity environment for experiments on timescales not accessible in ground based experiments, such as in the drop tower. During ascent of the rocket, vibrational loads of up to 1.8 g RMS in the frequency range of 20- 2000 Hz and accelerations of up to 13 g can occur. Furthermore, static loads, caused by the re-entry and the landing, can be as high as 50 g. Both missions MAIUS-2 and MAIUS-3 y the same payload, called MAIUS-B. Consequently, the payload needs to be designed to withstand the aforementioned loads

•Jan 1, 2018•0 citations

Exploring quantum gases for space-borne interferometry

Ernst Maria Rasel

Ultra-cold quantum gases in space promise to boost the sensitivity of matter-wave interferometers. Applications of the latter extend from fundamental physics over the use in navigation to interdisciplinary applications such as geodesy, e.g. satellite gravimetry [1, 2]. Exploiting quantum gases for high-precision interferometry places high demands on their control and manipulation. We take benefit of various microgravity platforms such as the Bremen drop tower [3], the Einstein elevator in Hannover [4], sounding rockets [5,6] and the international space station [7] to advance the necessary methods. The DLR-mission MAIUS-1 demonstrated Bose-Einstein condensation and performed first interferometry experiments [4]. NASA’s Cold Atom Laboratory continues this research in orbit on the ISS [7]. In addition, atom interferometry is pursued in highly dynamic environments such as parabolic flights [8]. Starting from a rubidium Bose-Einstein condensate, recently lowest expansion energies have been achieved by us in the Bremen drop tower as required for extending atom interferometry over several seconds [9]. Extending these methods to quantum mixtures not only opens up new physics in the absence of buoyancy, but also faces challenges regarding their use for interferometry. Interferometers based on two chemical elements have been proposed for quantum tests of the equivalence principle on the ISS as well as on satellites. Currently we prepare a sounding rocket mission to investigate the simultaneous generation and manipulation of potassium and rubidium condensates [10]. Together with CAL [7], these experiments will prepare the DLR-NASA multi-user facility BECCAL for research on quantum gas mixtures and interferometry [11] as well as enhance the readiness level of methods required for STE-QUEST [12], a proposal for a satellite mission currently studied in an modified version within ESA’s VOYAGE 2050 program [13].

International Conference on Space Optics (ICSO)•Jul 12, 2023•0 citations
The STE-QUEST Weak Equivalence Principle test is based on a differential measurement between two atom interferometers, operating with Rb85 and Rb87, respectively, where the accelerations of the two atom clouds under the influence of the Earth’s gravity field are compared simultaneously. As both atom interferometers are operated at the same time, also using the same optical components, a high common-mode rejection is achieved. The instrument design is based on the expertise of the consortium, which includes the DLR-funded cold atom experiments QUANTUS (QUANTengase Unter Schwerelosigkeit) and MAIUS (Materiewelleninterferometrie Unter Schwerelosigkeit), both operated in drop-tower experiments, and the CNES-funded experiment I.C.E. (Interférométrie Cohérente pour l‘Espace) operated in zero-g parabola flights. For STEQUEST, Bose-Einstein- Condensates (BECs) are prepared in a hybrid trap (atom chip + optical dipole trap), which is beneficial with respect to power, mass and dimensions.
The theory of general relativity describes macroscopic phenomena driven by the influence of gravity while quantum mechanics brilliantly accounts for microscopic effects. Despite their tremendous individual success, a complete unification of fundamental interactions is missing and remains one of the most challenging and important quests in modern theoretical physics. The STE-QUEST satellite mission, proposed as a medium-size mission within the Cosmic Vision program of the European Space Agency (ESA), aims for testing general relativity with high precision in two experiments by performing a measurement of the gravitational redshift of the Sun and the Moon by comparing terrestrial clocks, and by performing a test of the Universality of Free Fall of matter waves in the gravitational field of Earth comparing the trajectory of two Bose-Einstein condensates of Rb85 and Rb87. The two ultracold atom clouds are monitored very precisely thanks to techniques of atom interferometry. This allows to reach down to an uncertainty in the Eötvös parameter of at least 2x10E-15. In this paper, we report about the results of the phase A mission study of the atom interferometer instrument covering the description of the main payload elements, the atomic source concept, and the systematic error sources.
The atom interferometry test of the Weak Equivalence Principle is based on a differential measurement performed by two atom interferometers simultaneously probing the acceleration experienced by two clouds of two different atomic species. STE-QUEST will make pair wise comparisons between the two isotopes of rubidium while it orbits around the Earth. Testing the universality of free fall at a level of one part in 10-15 implies a measurement of the differential acceleration between the two atomic species at the same level of precision.
The theory of general relativity describes macroscopic phenomena driven by the influence of gravity while quantum mechanics brilliantly accounts for microscopic effects. Despite their tremendous individual success, a complete unification of fundamental interactions is missing and remains one of the most challenging and important quests in modern theoretical physics. The spacetime explorer and quantum equivalence principle space test satellite mission, proposed as a medium-size mission within the Cosmic Vision program of the European Space Agency (ESA), aims for testing general relativity with high precision in two experiments by performing a measurement of the gravitational redshift of the Sun and the Moon by comparing terrestrial clocks, and by performing a test of the universality of free fall of matter waves in the gravitational field of Earth comparing the trajectory of two Bose-Einstein condensates of 85Rb and 87Rb. The two ultracold atom clouds are monitored very precisely thanks to techniques of atom interferometry. This allows to reach down to an uncertainty in the Eötvös parameter of at least 2 × 10-15. In this paper, we report about the results of the phase A mission study of the atom interferometer instrument covering the description of the main payload elements, the atomic source concept, and the systematic error sources.
The QUANTUS consortium started activities to perform atom interferometry on a sounding rocket in the year 2011. Three sounding rocket missions (MAIUS-1 to 3) have been planned to demonstrate Bose-Einstein condensation and atom interferometry with rubidium and potassium atoms. Two different payloads MAIUS-A and MAIUS-B are being designed, qualified and integrated in the time frame from 2011 until 2020. Based on this heritage the “Student Experiments with Cold Atoms for Microgravity Platforms” (SECAMP) project has been started at the University of Bremen. The scope of the project is to design and built a payload for student experiments with cold atoms on multiple micro-gravity and hyper-gravity platforms. The apparatus shall allow the generation of a molasses of Rubidium-87 atoms and observation of the cooled atoms through fluorescence imaging in three perpendicular axes. This will enable detecting the movement of the atoms due to (residual) accelerations once the magneto-optical trap is switched off. As such the setup will form a simple accelerometer. The payload shall be designed to be suitable for operation on hyperbolic flights, the drop tower, sounding rockets and centrifuges allowing the participants to apply for the manifold national and European student programs on these platforms. This talk will give an overview on the current design and the requirements imposed by the different platforms. Moreover the student team and their role in the project will be presented and the current status of the project will be highlighted.
In January 2017 a first sounding rocket mission housing experiments on matter-wave interferometry, MAIUS-1 (Materiewellen-Interferometrie unter Schwerelosigkeit Matter-Wave Interferometry under Microgravity), has been launched. Following this campaign, two sounding rocket missions, MAIUS-2 and MAIUS-3, are planned to perform sequential and simultaneous dual-species atom interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) of Potassium-41 and Rubidium-87. The scientific payload of the MAIUS missions will be launched on-board a VSB-30 sounding rocket launched from Esrange in Sweden. The ights of these rockets allows for approximately 360 s of microgravity conditions. It therefore overs a microgravity environment for experiments on timescales not accessible in ground based experiments, such as in the drop tower. During ascent of the rocket, vibrational loads of up to 1.8 g RMS in the frequency range of 20- 2000 Hz and accelerations of up to 13 g can occur. Furthermore, static loads, caused by the re-entry and the landing, can be as high as 50 g. Both missions MAIUS-2 and MAIUS-3 y the same payload, called MAIUS-B. Consequently, the payload needs to be designed to withstand the aforementioned loads
Ultra-cold quantum gases in space promise to boost the sensitivity of matter-wave interferometers. Applications of the latter extend from fundamental physics over the use in navigation to interdisciplinary applications such as geodesy, e.g. satellite gravimetry [1, 2]. Exploiting quantum gases for high-precision interferometry places high demands on their control and manipulation. We take benefit of various microgravity platforms such as the Bremen drop tower [3], the Einstein elevator in Hannover [4], sounding rockets [5,6] and the international space station [7] to advance the necessary methods. The DLR-mission MAIUS-1 demonstrated Bose-Einstein condensation and performed first interferometry experiments [4]. NASA’s Cold Atom Laboratory continues this research in orbit on the ISS [7]. In addition, atom interferometry is pursued in highly dynamic environments such as parabolic flights [8]. Starting from a rubidium Bose-Einstein condensate, recently lowest expansion energies have been achieved by us in the Bremen drop tower as required for extending atom interferometry over several seconds [9]. Extending these methods to quantum mixtures not only opens up new physics in the absence of buoyancy, but also faces challenges regarding their use for interferometry. Interferometers based on two chemical elements have been proposed for quantum tests of the equivalence principle on the ISS as well as on satellites. Currently we prepare a sounding rocket mission to investigate the simultaneous generation and manipulation of potassium and rubidium condensates [10]. Together with CAL [7], these experiments will prepare the DLR-NASA multi-user facility BECCAL for research on quantum gas mixtures and interferometry [11] as well as enhance the readiness level of methods required for STE-QUEST [12], a proposal for a satellite mission currently studied in an modified version within ESA’s VOYAGE 2050 program [13].