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

Atom interferometer-based inertial force sensors

Bongs, K., Fixler, J., Foster, G., Brenton C. Young, Mark A. Kasevich

Published Jan 1, 2002• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Recent laboratory experiments have demonstrated atom interference-based inertial force sensors operating at sensitivities near or exceeding the state-of-the-art [2x10-10 rad/sec/Hz1/2 (gyroscope), 10-9 g/Hz1/2 (accelerometer), and 10 E/Hz1/2 (gravity gradient, 1 E = 10-9 sec-2)]. Drawing on this recent experience, we seek to develop gravity gradient sensors which will provide unprecedented capabilities for navigation and geodesy applications. Our technical approach does not rely on cryogenic techniques, and should yield an instrument capable of operating on a broad array of platforms (eg. satellite, space station, plane, etc.). In the long run, we expect these instruments to be economical and robust The demonstration of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute atomic vapors raises the prospect of a new class of de Broglie wave interferometric sensors. We have recently demonstrated a proof-of-principle accelerometer concept which exploits the novel coherence properties of Bose-Einstein condensed atomic sources.

Related papers

Progress towards a space-borne quantum gravity gradiometer

Nan Yu, James M. Kohel, Jaime Ramirez-Serrano +3 more

Quantum interferometer gravity gradiometer for 3D mapping is a project for developing the technology of atom interferometer-based gravity sensor in space. The atom interferometer utilizes atomic particles as free fall test masses to measure inertial forces with unprecedented sensitivity and precision. It also allows measurements of the gravity gradient tensor components for 3D mapping of subsurface mass distribution. The overall approach is based on recent advances of laser cooling and manipulation of atoms in atomic and optical physics. Atom interferometers have been demonstrated in research laboratories for gravity and gravity gradient measurements. In this approach, atoms are first laser cooled to micro-kelvin temperatures. Then they are allowed to freefall in vacuum as true drag-free test masses. During the free fall, a sequence of laser pulses is used to split and recombine the atom waves to realize the interferometric measurements. We have demonstrated atom interferometer operation in the Phase I period, and we are implementing the second generation for a complete gradiometer demonstration unit in the laboratory. Along with this development, we are developing technologies at component levels that will be more suited for realization of a space instrument. We will present an update of these developments and discuss the future directions of the quantum gravity gradiometer project.

•Jun 22, 2004•6 citations

The application of bose-einstein condensates to inertial sensing

J. E. Debs

This thesis presents experimental and theoretical work investigating the application of Bose-condensed atomic sources to atom interferometer-based inertial sensors. In particular, we focus on gravity sensors, which have applications in fundamental physics, Earth sciences, mineral exploration, and navigation. We develop atomic sources, design and implement several different atomic beamsplitters and mirrors, and build atom interferometers utilising Bose-condensed atomic sources. Theoretical work supports all of these experiments. Coupled with the detailed theoretical analyses, these proof-of-principle experiments show that Bose-condensed sources will be critical in the next generation inertial sensors based on atomic interference. - provided by Candidate.

•Jan 1, 2012•4 citations

Status of large scale array of quantum sensors

Philippe Bouyer

The remarkable success of atom coherent manipulation techniques has motivated competitive research and development in precision metrology. Matter-wave inertial sensors – accelerometers, gyrometers, gravimeters – based on these techniques are all at the forefront of their respective measurement classes. Atom inertial sensors provide nowadays about the best accelerometers and gravimeters and allow, for instance, to make the most precise monitoring of gravity. New concepts of matter-wave interferometry can also be used to study the low frequency variations of the strain tensor of space-time and gravitation. For instance, the MIGA instrument, which is currently built in the underground laboratory in Rustrel, France will allow the monitoring of the evolution of the gravitational field at unprecedented sensitivity, which will be exploited both for geophysical studies and for Gravitational Waves (GWs) observations. This present will present the status of this instrument.

Optical and Quantum Sensing and Precision Metrology II•Mar 9, 2022•0 citations

Detecting inertial effects with airborne matter-wave interferometry

Rémi Geiger, Vincent Ménoret, Guillaume Stern +10 more

Inertial sensors relying on atom interferometry offer a breakthrough advance in a variety of applications, such as inertial navigation, gravimetry or ground- and space-based tests of fundamental physics. These instruments require a quiet environment to reach their performance and using them outside the laboratory remains a challenge. Here we report the first operation of an airborne matter-wave accelerometer set up aboard a 0g plane and operating during the standard gravity (1g) and microgravity (0g) phases of the flight. At 1g, the sensor can detect inertial effects more than 300 times weaker than the typical acceleration fluctuations of the aircraft. We describe the improvement of the interferometer sensitivity in 0g, which reaches 2 x 10-4 ms-2 / √Hz with our current setup. We finally discuss the extension of our method to airborne and spaceborne tests of the Universality of free fall with matter waves. Inertial sensors using atom interferometry have applications in geophysics, navigation- and space-based tests of fundamental physics. Here, the first operation of an atom accelerometer during parabolic flights is reported, demonstrating high-resolution measurements at both 1g and 0g.

arXiv:1109.5905•Nature Communications•Sep 20, 2011•400 citations

Atom interferometer inertial force sensors

T. L. Gustavson, Arnaud Landragin, J. M. McGuirk +2 more

Summary form only given. Atom interferometer inertial force sensors offer the prospect of unprecedented performance for rotation, acceleration and gravity gradient measurements. The basic sensor operating principle is illustrated.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Jan 20, 2003•2 citations

COHERENT ATOM SOURCES FOR ATOM INTERFEROMETRY IN SPACE: THE ICE PROJECT

Philippe Bouyer

Atomic quantum sensors are a major breakthrough in the technology of time and frequency standards as well as ultraprecise 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 referred 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 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 [Formula: see text] as for independent measurements on N atoms. We present here the recent progress toward the acheivement of new coherent atomic sources, i.e. atom lasers, that will be use in space-based atom interferometers. We introduce new concepts of atom accelerometers and gyrometers that take advantage of the high collimation and coherence properties of atoms lasers and report on the development of a 0-g coherent atom interferometer (ICE) that will be used to test the ultimate performances of atom accelerometers in space.

International Journal of Modern Physics D•Dec 1, 2007•0 citations
Recent laboratory experiments have demonstrated atom interference-based inertial force sensors operating at sensitivities near or exceeding the state-of-the-art [2x10-10 rad/sec/Hz1/2 (gyroscope), 10-9 g/Hz1/2 (accelerometer), and 10 E/Hz1/2 (gravity gradient, 1 E = 10-9 sec-2)]. Drawing on this recent experience, we seek to develop gravity gradient sensors which will provide unprecedented capabilities for navigation and geodesy applications. Our technical approach does not rely on cryogenic techniques, and should yield an instrument capable of operating on a broad array of platforms (eg. satellite, space station, plane, etc.). In the long run, we expect these instruments to be economical and robust The demonstration of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute atomic vapors raises the prospect of a new class of de Broglie wave interferometric sensors. We have recently demonstrated a proof-of-principle accelerometer concept which exploits the novel coherence properties of Bose-Einstein condensed atomic sources.
Quantum interferometer gravity gradiometer for 3D mapping is a project for developing the technology of atom interferometer-based gravity sensor in space. The atom interferometer utilizes atomic particles as free fall test masses to measure inertial forces with unprecedented sensitivity and precision. It also allows measurements of the gravity gradient tensor components for 3D mapping of subsurface mass distribution. The overall approach is based on recent advances of laser cooling and manipulation of atoms in atomic and optical physics. Atom interferometers have been demonstrated in research laboratories for gravity and gravity gradient measurements. In this approach, atoms are first laser cooled to micro-kelvin temperatures. Then they are allowed to freefall in vacuum as true drag-free test masses. During the free fall, a sequence of laser pulses is used to split and recombine the atom waves to realize the interferometric measurements. We have demonstrated atom interferometer operation in the Phase I period, and we are implementing the second generation for a complete gradiometer demonstration unit in the laboratory. Along with this development, we are developing technologies at component levels that will be more suited for realization of a space instrument. We will present an update of these developments and discuss the future directions of the quantum gravity gradiometer project.
This thesis presents experimental and theoretical work investigating the application of Bose-condensed atomic sources to atom interferometer-based inertial sensors. In particular, we focus on gravity sensors, which have applications in fundamental physics, Earth sciences, mineral exploration, and navigation. We develop atomic sources, design and implement several different atomic beamsplitters and mirrors, and build atom interferometers utilising Bose-condensed atomic sources. Theoretical work supports all of these experiments. Coupled with the detailed theoretical analyses, these proof-of-principle experiments show that Bose-condensed sources will be critical in the next generation inertial sensors based on atomic interference. - provided by Candidate.
The remarkable success of atom coherent manipulation techniques has motivated competitive research and development in precision metrology. Matter-wave inertial sensors – accelerometers, gyrometers, gravimeters – based on these techniques are all at the forefront of their respective measurement classes. Atom inertial sensors provide nowadays about the best accelerometers and gravimeters and allow, for instance, to make the most precise monitoring of gravity. New concepts of matter-wave interferometry can also be used to study the low frequency variations of the strain tensor of space-time and gravitation. For instance, the MIGA instrument, which is currently built in the underground laboratory in Rustrel, France will allow the monitoring of the evolution of the gravitational field at unprecedented sensitivity, which will be exploited both for geophysical studies and for Gravitational Waves (GWs) observations. This present will present the status of this instrument.
Inertial sensors relying on atom interferometry offer a breakthrough advance in a variety of applications, such as inertial navigation, gravimetry or ground- and space-based tests of fundamental physics. These instruments require a quiet environment to reach their performance and using them outside the laboratory remains a challenge. Here we report the first operation of an airborne matter-wave accelerometer set up aboard a 0g plane and operating during the standard gravity (1g) and microgravity (0g) phases of the flight. At 1g, the sensor can detect inertial effects more than 300 times weaker than the typical acceleration fluctuations of the aircraft. We describe the improvement of the interferometer sensitivity in 0g, which reaches 2 x 10-4 ms-2 / √Hz with our current setup. We finally discuss the extension of our method to airborne and spaceborne tests of the Universality of free fall with matter waves. Inertial sensors using atom interferometry have applications in geophysics, navigation- and space-based tests of fundamental physics. Here, the first operation of an atom accelerometer during parabolic flights is reported, demonstrating high-resolution measurements at both 1g and 0g.
Atomic quantum sensors are a major breakthrough in the technology of time and frequency standards as well as ultraprecise 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 referred 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 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 [Formula: see text] as for independent measurements on N atoms. We present here the recent progress toward the acheivement of new coherent atomic sources, i.e. atom lasers, that will be use in space-based atom interferometers. We introduce new concepts of atom accelerometers and gyrometers that take advantage of the high collimation and coherence properties of atoms lasers and report on the development of a 0-g coherent atom interferometer (ICE) that will be used to test the ultimate performances of atom accelerometers in space.