Article

Light-pulse atom interferometry in microgravity

The European Physical Journal D (impact factor: 1.48). 04/2012; 53(3):353-357. DOI:10.1140/epjd/e2009-00150-5 pp.353-357

ABSTRACT We describe the operation of a light pulse interferometer using cold 87Rb atoms in reduced gravity. Using a series of two Raman transitions induced by light pulses, we have obtained Ramsey fringes
in the low gravity environment achieved during parabolic flights. With our compact apparatus, we have operated in a regime
which is not accessible on ground. In the much lower gravity environment and lower vibration level of a satellite, our cold
atom interferometer could measure accelerations with a sensitivity orders of magnitude better than the best ground based accelerometers
and close to proven spaced-based ones.

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Keywords

accelerometers
 
accessible
 
cold 87Rb atoms
 
compact apparatus
 
light pulse interferometer
 
light pulses
 
low gravity environment
 
lower gravity environment
 
lower vibration level
 
Raman transitions induced
 
Ramsey fringes
 
spaced-based ones