Atom interferometry at arbitrary orientations and rotation rates

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics
• Precision measurement
• Inertial navigation

Background:

• Atom interferometers offer high precision for geodesy and navigation.
• Onboard applications are limited by intertwined rotation/acceleration signals and signal loss due to wave packet separation.
• Extracting useful data in dynamic environments remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an atom interferometer for onboard applications that can distinguish rotation and acceleration.
• To overcome signal loss issues caused by rotation in atom interferometers.
• To achieve high sensitivity to acceleration in the presence of rotation.

Main Methods:

• Operating an atom interferometer across a wide range of random angles, rotation rates, and accelerations.
• Utilizing a phase shift model to decouple rotation and acceleration signals.
• Implementing a real-time compensation system with fiber-optic gyroscopes and a rotating reference mirror.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated an atom interferometer operating under diverse rotational and acceleration conditions.
• Successfully untangled rotation and acceleration signals using a phase shift model.
• Maintained full interferometer contrast with a real-time compensation system.
• Achieved a single-shot acceleration sensitivity of 24 μg at rotation rates up to 14° s⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• The developed atom interferometer effectively separates rotation and acceleration signals for onboard applications.
• Real-time compensation systems are crucial for maintaining interferometer performance in dynamic environments.
• This technology advances the potential for precise inertial navigation and geodesy in challenging conditions.