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ICE: Atom interferometric inertial sensing in microgravity. Toward a test of the universality of free fall

August 2014

DOI:10.13140/RG.2.1.1905.1047

Conference: Meeting of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
At: Moscow, Russia

Authors:

University of New Brunswick

Baptiste Battelier

Université Bordeaux-I

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The ICE (Interferometrie atomique à sources Cohérentes pour l’Espace) experiment tests the universality of free fall using atom interferometry in microgravity. An ultra-stable transportable apparatus, consisting of a fiber-based laser system for cooling both rubidium and potassium atoms, has been built and operated in parabolic flight onboard the NOVESPACE ZERO-G aircraft. We are presenting inertial measurements from both rubidium and potassium and describing progress toward the achievement of a dual-species interferometer.

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