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International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Electromechanical Automation (AIEA)

The Principle of Cold Atom Interference and Its Application in Navigation

Sixuan He, Dewei Wu, Qiang Miao

Published Jun 1, 2020• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

As the core sensors of inertial navigation, the accuracy of gyroscope and accelerometer directly determines the performance of inertial navigation system. With the appearance of cold atom interference technology, it has a wide application prospect in the field of inertial measurement, and cold atom gravimeter and cold atom gyroscope have appeared in succession. This paper mainly introduces the basic principle of cold atom interference technology, and briefly describes the development status of cold atom gyroscope and accelerometer. The existing problems in the current research is summarized, and its future application in navigation are prospected.

DOI
10.1109/aiea51086.2020.00085

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As the core sensors of inertial navigation, the accuracy of gyroscope and accelerometer directly determines the performance of inertial navigation system. With the appearance of cold atom interference technology, it has a wide application prospect in the field of inertial measurement, and cold atom gravimeter and cold atom gyroscope have appeared in succession. This paper mainly introduces the basic principle of cold atom interference technology, and briefly describes the development status of cold atom gyroscope and accelerometer. The existing problems in the current research is summarized, and its future application in navigation are prospected.
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.
This report assesses the potential of gyroscopes and accelerometers based on cold atom interferometry (CAI) for space and defence applications, by analysing their strengths and weaknesses in comparison with devices based on other working principles. Indeed, it is widely recognized that quantum sensors based on atomic interferometry provide absolute measurements with the potential for high sensitivity and long-term stability. This last property is particularly valuable for accelerometers and gyroscopes to be used for inertial navigation, since it guarantees precise positioning without the need for frequent recalibrations, a shortcoming which affects several devices presently in use. \nHigh-performance inertial sensors play an important role both in space applications, where gyroscopes are widely used e.g. to orientate a satellite and its on-board communications and sensing equipment, and in defence, where gyroscopes and accelerometers constitute the core of the inertial measurement units to be used for autonomous navigation, e.g. in GNSS-denied conditions. The EU has a well-established role in space with the Copernicus and Galileo programmes, and a fledging but increasing involvement in the defence industry. An independent assessment of a quantum technology such as cold atom interferometry which may in time acquire a significant role in these fields is a precondition to advance well-grounded suggestions for EU policy initiatives.
The growing reliance on Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies across critical sectors such as defense, aerospace, and autonomous systems highlights the need for navigation solutions that are robust against signal loss, spoofing, and jamming. Quantum-based navigation systems offer a promising alternative, leveraging the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics to achieve unprecedented precision and resilience. This paper provides an overview of the core quantum technologies enabling this next generation of navigation, including atomic interferometry, quantum accelerometers, gyroscopes, and ultra-precise quantum clocks. Cold atom techniques and laser cooling play pivotal roles in enhancing measurement stability and accuracy. The integration of these technologies into inertial navigation systems (INS) significantly reduces drift and extends operational reliability in GPS-denied environments. Quantum navigation technologies are finding applications across a wide range of domains, including military defense, underwater missions, space travel, and autonomous transportation. Despite existing obstacles such as high development costs, environmental sensitivity, and the need for further miniaturization, progress in quantum sensor development and engineering continues at a steady pace. This article presents an overview of the fundamental concepts, present capabilities, and prospective advancements in quantum navigation. It also highlights the technology's promise as a viable alternative or even a possible replacement for conventional GPS systems.
In this paper,we described the progress of cold atom gyroscope.We launched the atoms along the same trajectory accurately and the opposite direction by controlling the frequency of directed digital system circuit.Using stimulated Raman beams,we operated the cold atoms and realized the atom interferometer fringes.With this configuration,it will greatly eliminate the common mode noise caused by uncertainty factor,such as the phase of the Raman laser beams,the gravity acceleration.It will significantly improve the precision in our experiment.The atom gyroscope will give a new way for the inertial navigation technology in the future.