Accurate inertial measurements by cold-atom interferometry

Arnaud Landragin

Arnaud Landragin

Romain Gautier, Matteo Altorio, Leonid A. Sidorenkov +2 more

Tijing Cai

In order to monitor 3 axes rotation and acceleration of vehicle simultaneously,a realization scheme for measuring 6 axes inertial parameters using cold atom interferometry was presented.Through exerting different types and directions Raman pulses on two counterpropagating atomic beams in spatial domain,it achieved beams splitting of cold atom,and multiple sub-interferometers with effective interference plane point to several orientations.The relation between interferometry phase shift and the corresponding inertial parameter was derived,and the measurement principle of each axis rotation and acceleration was deduced through interferometry phase shift.The measurement of x axis acceleration by extending pulse with 45° to x axis and y axis was presented based on 5 axes inertial parameters.By analysing the beam splitting,construction and measurement of the interferometer,it showed this scheme has access to 3 axes of rotation and acceleration.

Ravi Kumar, Ana Rakonjac

Abstract Atom interferometry is one of the most promising technologies for high precision measurements. It has the potential to revolutionise many different sectors, such as navigation and positioning, resource exploration, geophysical studies, and fundamental physics. After decades of research in the field of cold atoms, the technology has reached a stage where commercialisation of cold atom interferometers has become possible. This article describes recent developments, challenges, and prospects for quantum sensors for inertial sensing based on cold atom interferometry techniques.

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.