The discrete electronic energy levels in atoms and the ability to probe and control them using their interactions with electromagnetic fields have enabled a host of applications in quantum sensing and metrology, including atom-based time and frequency standards, magnetometers, and inertial sensors. Precision measurements with atoms rely on the capability to control the frequency, phase, polarization, and direction of photons used to prepare and measure quantum systems, and thus developments in near-infrared optics and photonics are critical to advancing state-of-the-art atomic sensors. In this talk, I will summarize the basic principles of atom-based quantum sensing and highlight the role of atom-photon interactions in quantum measurements. The benefits and challenges of realizing atom-based quantum sensors will be illustrated through examples from my prior research, including the development of sensitive accelerometers and gyroscopes based on cold-atom interferometers. I will discuss the critical developments in photonic engineering that are still needed to improve the performance and functionality of atom-based-quantum sensors and our research progress at UW-Madison towards addressing these needs.
The discrete electronic energy levels in atoms and the ability to probe and control them using their interactions with electromagnetic fields have enabled a host of applications in quantum sensing and metrology, including atom-based time and frequency standards, magnetometers, and inertial sensors. Precision measurements with atoms rely on the capability to control the frequency, phase, polarization, and direction of photons used to prepare and measure quantum systems, and thus developments in near-infrared optics and photonics are critical to advancing state-of-the-art atomic sensors. In this talk, I will summarize the basic principles of atom-based quantum sensing and highlight the role of atom-photon interactions in quantum measurements. The benefits and challenges of realizing atom-based quantum sensors will be illustrated through examples from my prior research, including the development of sensitive accelerometers and gyroscopes based on cold-atom interferometers. I will discuss the critical developments in photonic engineering that are still needed to improve the performance and functionality of atom-based-quantum sensors and our research progress at UW-Madison towards addressing these needs.
Quantum sensors represent a new generation of sensors with improved precision, accuracy, stability, and robustness to environmental effects compared to their classical predecessors. After decades of laboratory development, several types of quantum sensors are now commercially available or are part-way through the commercialization process. This article provides a brief description of the operation of a selection of quantum sensors that employ the principles of atom-light interactions and discusses progress toward packaging those sensors into products. This article covers quantum inertial and gravitational sensors, including gyroscopes, accelerometers, gravimeters, and gravity gradiometers that employ atom interferometry, nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscopes, atomic and spin-defect magnetometers, and Rydberg electric field sensors.
Quantum sensors represent a new generation of sensors with improved precision, accuracy, stability, and robustness to environmental effects compared to their classical predecessors. After decades of laboratory development, several types of quantum sensors are now commercially available or are part-way through the commercialization process. This paper provides a brief description of the operation of a selection of quantum sensors that employ the principles of atom–light interactions and discusses progress toward packaging those sensors into products. This paper covers quantum inertial and gravitational sensors, including gyroscopes, accelerometers, gravimeters, and gravity gradiometers that employ atom interferometry, nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscopes, atomic and spin-defect magnetometers, and Rydberg electric field sensors.
Atomic quantum sensors are a major breakthrough in the technology of time and frequency standards as well as ultra-precise sensing and monitoring of accelerations and rotations. They apply a new kind of optics based on matter waves. Today, atomic clocks are the standard for time and frequency measurement at the highest precisions. Inertial and rotational sensors using atom interferometers have already shown similar potential for replacing state-of-the-art sensors in other fields. With Bose-Einstein condensates, also refered as atom lasers, the traditional experiments with atom interferometers can be greatly improved. Testing of fundamental principles, studies of atomic properties, applications as inertial sensors, and measurements of fundamental constants can benefit from the brightness (intensity and small momentum spread) of these coherent sources. In addition, the coherence properties of condensates may also allow BEC based atom interferometers to approach the Heisenberg detection limit. This corresponds to a measurement precision which scales like 1/N for N atoms and not like 1 / N as for independent measurements on N atoms.
Summary form only given. A collaboration between European research groups is developing novel atomic inertial quantum sensors based on matter-wave optics and Raman interferometry. For this purpose we are implementing a gravimeter and a gyroscope using ultra cold atoms as test masses. Inertial quantum sensors could represent a new tool for the precise detection of faint forces and tiny rotations. According to the principle of these sensors, the measured physical quantity will be converted into a frequency, which can be measured with highest accuracy. The items of atom interferometry will range from fundamental physical tests to many practical applications such as: local gravity measurements, allowing a precise underground mapping, and space navigation. In this contest the main goal is to realize modular and portable systems.
Recent progresses on quantum control of cold atoms and trapped ions in both the scientific and technological aspects greatly advance the applications in precision measurement. Thanks to the exceptional controllability and versatility of these massive quantum systems, unprecedented sensitivity has been achieved in clocks, magnetometers, and interferometers based on cold atoms and ions. Besides, these systems also feature many characteristics that can be employed to facilitate the applications in different scenarios. In this review, we briefly introduce the principles of optical clocks, cold atom magnetometers, and atom interferometers used for precision measurement of time, magnetic field, and inertial forces. The main content is then devoted to summarize some recent experimental and theoretical progresses in these three applications, with special attention being paid to the new designs and possibilities towards better performance. The purpose of this review is by no means to give a complete overview of all important works in this fast developing field, but to draw a rough sketch about the frontiers and show the fascinating future lying ahead.
This consortium has initiated a focused collaborative program to advance matter wave sensors. We seek to combine atom interferometry with atom lasers and atom waveguides with the prospect of improving the sensitivity of such sensors by orders of magnitude as compared with existing state-of-the-art sensors. We will identify, explore and exploit fundamental scientific possibilities surrounding the production, manipulation and detection of ultra-cold atoms for a variety of sensing applications. Such sensors include gravimeters, gravity gradiometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers and frequency standards and have applications in science and technology and within the DOD. Sensitive and accurate inertial force sensors can be used in covert/passive navigation, precision guidance, underground structure detection, gravitational mapping, etc. They are non-emanating and capable of operating in a jammed-GPS environment. We seek to build awareness of DOD needs critical to national defense at the graduate training level, and to establish a dialogue between DOD and industrial researchers/managers and PhD trainees. The institutions identified in the proposed consortium attract talented students who are likely to become future leaders in science and technology.