Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Quantum 2.0 Conference and Exhibition

Nondestructive microwave detection for compact quantum inertial sensors

William Dubosclard, Seulgi Kim, Leonid A. Sidorenkov, Carlos L. Garrido Alzar

Published Jan 1, 2022• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Inertial sensors based on cold atom interferometry are characterized by extremely high sensitivity and stability. They are therefore compatible with the stringent requirements of applications ranging from geophysics, navigation, positioning, and civil engineering to fundamental physics tests. However, the practical use of these sensors remains essentially limited by their relative bulkiness and low measurement bandwidth. Here, we address these drawbacks by implementing a novel solution for atomic state detection. It is based on the modification of the radiation resistance of an antenna in the presence of a cold atom ensemble. This method allowed us the nondestructive monitoring of a coherent quantum dynamics with a bandwidth of about 30 kHz and a chosen destructiveness of less than 0.1%. In addition, by performing a typical Ramsey sequence (a clock measurement), we demonstrate the preservation of the atomic quantum coherence.

DOI
10.1364/quantum.2022.qw4c.4

Related papers

Nondestructive microwave detection of a coherent quantum dynamics in cold atoms

William Dubosclard, Seungjin Kim, Carlos L. Garrido Alzar

Abstract Cold atom quantum sensors based on atom interferometry are among the most accurate instruments used in fundamental physics, metrology, and foreseen for autonomous inertial navigation. However, they typically have optically complex, cumbersome, and low-bandwidth atom detection systems, limiting their practical applications. Here, we demonstrate an enabling technology for high-bandwidth, compact, and nondestructive detection of cold atoms, using microwave radiation. We measure the reflected microwave signal to coherently and distinctly detect the population of single quantum states with a bandwidth close to 30 kHz and a design destructivity that we set to 0.04%. We use a horn antenna and free-falling molasses cooled atoms in order to demonstrate the feasibility of this technique in conventional cold atom interferometers. This technology, combined with coplanar waveguides used as microwave sources, provides a basic design building block for detection in future atom chip-based compact quantum inertial sensors.

Communications Physics•Feb 24, 2021•17 citations

Development of compact cold-atom sensors for inertial navigation

Baptiste Battelier, B. Barrett, Lauriane Fouché +7 more

Inertial sensors based on cold atom interferometry exhibit many interesting features for applications related to inertial navigation, particularly in terms of sensitivity and long-term stability. However, at present the typical atom interferometer is still very much an experiment—consisting of a bulky, static apparatus with a limited dynamic range and high sensitivity to environmental effects. To be compliant with mobile applications further development is needed. In this work, we present a compact and mobile experiment, which we recently used to achieve the first inertial measurements with an atomic accelerometer onboard an aircraft. By integrating classical inertial sensors into our apparatus, we are able to operate the atomic sensor well beyond its standard operating range, corresponding to half of an interference fringe. We report atom-based acceleration measurements along both the horizontal and vertical axes of the aircraft with one-shot sensitivities of 2.3 × 10−4 g over a range of ∼ 0.1 g. The same technology can be used to develop cold-atom gyroscopes, which could surpass the best optical gyroscopes in terms of long-term sensitivity. Our apparatus was also designed to study multi-axis atom interferometry with the goal of realizing a full inertial measurement unit comprised of the three axes of acceleration and rotation. Finally, we present a compact and tunable laser system, which constitutes an essential part of any cold-atom-based sensor. The architecture of the laser is based on phase modulating a single fiber-optic laser diode, and can be tuned over a range of 1 GHz in less than 200 μs.

arXiv:1605.02454•Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Apr 29, 2016•70 citations

Ramsey interferometry with cold atoms in coherent population trapping

Chengyin Han, Bo Lü, Chaohong Lee

The utilization of Ramsey interferometry via coherent population trapping (CPT), which enables the optical interrogation of microwave transitions without the reliance on microwave cavities, plays a crucial role in the advancement of compact and low-power quantum sensors. Particularly, high-resolution CPT-Ramsey spectroscopy of alkali-metal atoms has found extensive application in constructing miniaturized quantum sensors like atomic magnetometers and atomic clocks. Due to their well-defined environment and extended coherence time, cold atoms offer enhanced sensitivity and precision in CPT-Ramsey interferometry. This review comprehensively examines CPT-Ramsey interferometry with cold atoms, encompassing both conventional and multi-pulse techniques, and explores their potential applications in practical quantum sensors.

Advances in Physics X•Feb 23, 2024•6 citations

Future Inertial Atomic Quantum Sensors: State of Art

A. Giorgini, Fiodor Sorrentino, Marella de Angelis +22 more

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.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 1, 2007•0 citations

Cold atom interferometry for inertial sensing in the field

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.

Advanced Optical Technologies•Aug 31, 2019•4 citations

Towards a compact, optically interrogated, cold-atom microwave clock

Rachel Elvin, Michael W. Wright, Ben Lewis +6 more

Abstract A compact platform for cold atoms opens a range of exciting possibilities for portable, robust and accessible quantum sensors. In this work, we report on the development of a cold-atom microwave clock in a small package. Our work utilises the grating magneto-optical trap and high-contrast coherent population trapping in the lin ⊥ $\perp $ lin polarisation scheme. We optically probe the atomic ground-state splitting of cold 87Rb atoms using a Ramsey-like sequence whilst the atoms are in free-fall. We have measured a short-term fractional frequency stability of 5 × 10 − 11 / τ $5{\times}{10}^{-11}/\sqrt{\tau }$ with a projected quantum projection noise limit at the 10 − 13 / τ ${10}^{-13}/\sqrt{\tau }$ level.

Advanced Optical Technologies•Sep 7, 2019•7 citations
Inertial sensors based on cold atom interferometry are characterized by extremely high sensitivity and stability. They are therefore compatible with the stringent requirements of applications ranging from geophysics, navigation, positioning, and civil engineering to fundamental physics tests. However, the practical use of these sensors remains essentially limited by their relative bulkiness and low measurement bandwidth. Here, we address these drawbacks by implementing a novel solution for atomic state detection. It is based on the modification of the radiation resistance of an antenna in the presence of a cold atom ensemble. This method allowed us the nondestructive monitoring of a coherent quantum dynamics with a bandwidth of about 30 kHz and a chosen destructiveness of less than 0.1%. In addition, by performing a typical Ramsey sequence (a clock measurement), we demonstrate the preservation of the atomic quantum coherence.
Abstract Cold atom quantum sensors based on atom interferometry are among the most accurate instruments used in fundamental physics, metrology, and foreseen for autonomous inertial navigation. However, they typically have optically complex, cumbersome, and low-bandwidth atom detection systems, limiting their practical applications. Here, we demonstrate an enabling technology for high-bandwidth, compact, and nondestructive detection of cold atoms, using microwave radiation. We measure the reflected microwave signal to coherently and distinctly detect the population of single quantum states with a bandwidth close to 30 kHz and a design destructivity that we set to 0.04%. We use a horn antenna and free-falling molasses cooled atoms in order to demonstrate the feasibility of this technique in conventional cold atom interferometers. This technology, combined with coplanar waveguides used as microwave sources, provides a basic design building block for detection in future atom chip-based compact quantum inertial sensors.
Inertial sensors based on cold atom interferometry exhibit many interesting features for applications related to inertial navigation, particularly in terms of sensitivity and long-term stability. However, at present the typical atom interferometer is still very much an experiment—consisting of a bulky, static apparatus with a limited dynamic range and high sensitivity to environmental effects. To be compliant with mobile applications further development is needed. In this work, we present a compact and mobile experiment, which we recently used to achieve the first inertial measurements with an atomic accelerometer onboard an aircraft. By integrating classical inertial sensors into our apparatus, we are able to operate the atomic sensor well beyond its standard operating range, corresponding to half of an interference fringe. We report atom-based acceleration measurements along both the horizontal and vertical axes of the aircraft with one-shot sensitivities of 2.3 × 10−4 g over a range of ∼ 0.1 g. The same technology can be used to develop cold-atom gyroscopes, which could surpass the best optical gyroscopes in terms of long-term sensitivity. Our apparatus was also designed to study multi-axis atom interferometry with the goal of realizing a full inertial measurement unit comprised of the three axes of acceleration and rotation. Finally, we present a compact and tunable laser system, which constitutes an essential part of any cold-atom-based sensor. The architecture of the laser is based on phase modulating a single fiber-optic laser diode, and can be tuned over a range of 1 GHz in less than 200 μs.
The utilization of Ramsey interferometry via coherent population trapping (CPT), which enables the optical interrogation of microwave transitions without the reliance on microwave cavities, plays a crucial role in the advancement of compact and low-power quantum sensors. Particularly, high-resolution CPT-Ramsey spectroscopy of alkali-metal atoms has found extensive application in constructing miniaturized quantum sensors like atomic magnetometers and atomic clocks. Due to their well-defined environment and extended coherence time, cold atoms offer enhanced sensitivity and precision in CPT-Ramsey interferometry. This review comprehensively examines CPT-Ramsey interferometry with cold atoms, encompassing both conventional and multi-pulse techniques, and explores their potential applications in practical quantum sensors.
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.
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.
Abstract A compact platform for cold atoms opens a range of exciting possibilities for portable, robust and accessible quantum sensors. In this work, we report on the development of a cold-atom microwave clock in a small package. Our work utilises the grating magneto-optical trap and high-contrast coherent population trapping in the lin ⊥ $\perp $ lin polarisation scheme. We optically probe the atomic ground-state splitting of cold 87Rb atoms using a Ramsey-like sequence whilst the atoms are in free-fall. We have measured a short-term fractional frequency stability of 5 × 10 − 11 / τ 5×10−11/τ5{\times}{10}^{-11}/\sqrt{\tau }5×10−11/τ​ with a projected quantum projection noise limit at the 10 − 13 / τ 10−13/τ{10}^{-13}/\sqrt{\tau }10−13/τ​ level.