Characterization of a Continuous Beam Cold Atom Ramsey Interferometer

The use of atom interferometers in inertial systems holds the promise of improvement of several orders of magnitude in sensitivity over sensors using current technology such as micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) devices or ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs). This paper describes the construction and characte...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Michael P. Manicchia, Jeffrey G. Lee, Frank A. Narducci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-03-01
Series:Atoms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-2004/11/3/51
_version_ 1797613500717072384
author Michael P. Manicchia
Jeffrey G. Lee
Frank A. Narducci
author_facet Michael P. Manicchia
Jeffrey G. Lee
Frank A. Narducci
author_sort Michael P. Manicchia
collection DOAJ
description The use of atom interferometers in inertial systems holds the promise of improvement of several orders of magnitude in sensitivity over sensors using current technology such as micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) devices or ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs). This paper describes the construction and characterization of an atomic interferometry system for eventual use in a dual-atom-beam accelerometer/gyroscope sensor. In contrast with current state-of-the-art atomic sensors which use pulsed cold atom sources and pulsed laser beams, the investigated apparatus relies purely on continuous atomic and laser beams. These differences can result in a sensor with reduced complexity, a smaller physical footprint, and reduced power consumption. However, these differences also introduce challenges resulting from laser and atomic beam divergences and from velocity averaging due to both longitudinal and transverse velocity spreads. In this work, we characterize our rubidium-based atom beam system and show that Ramsey-style interference can still be observed. The implications for future research are also outlined and discussed.
first_indexed 2024-03-11T06:56:37Z
format Article
id doaj.art-8c8ad324e31b4743a8113f77931ddcb6
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2218-2004
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-11T06:56:37Z
publishDate 2023-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Atoms
spelling doaj.art-8c8ad324e31b4743a8113f77931ddcb62023-11-17T09:34:16ZengMDPI AGAtoms2218-20042023-03-011135110.3390/atoms11030051Characterization of a Continuous Beam Cold Atom Ramsey InterferometerMichael P. Manicchia0Jeffrey G. Lee1Frank A. Narducci2Department of Physics, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD 21402, USADepartment of Physics, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943, USADepartment of Physics, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943, USAThe use of atom interferometers in inertial systems holds the promise of improvement of several orders of magnitude in sensitivity over sensors using current technology such as micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) devices or ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs). This paper describes the construction and characterization of an atomic interferometry system for eventual use in a dual-atom-beam accelerometer/gyroscope sensor. In contrast with current state-of-the-art atomic sensors which use pulsed cold atom sources and pulsed laser beams, the investigated apparatus relies purely on continuous atomic and laser beams. These differences can result in a sensor with reduced complexity, a smaller physical footprint, and reduced power consumption. However, these differences also introduce challenges resulting from laser and atomic beam divergences and from velocity averaging due to both longitudinal and transverse velocity spreads. In this work, we characterize our rubidium-based atom beam system and show that Ramsey-style interference can still be observed. The implications for future research are also outlined and discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-2004/11/3/51atom interferometryinertial navigationlaser coolingquantum sensing
spellingShingle Michael P. Manicchia
Jeffrey G. Lee
Frank A. Narducci
Characterization of a Continuous Beam Cold Atom Ramsey Interferometer
Atoms
atom interferometry
inertial navigation
laser cooling
quantum sensing
title Characterization of a Continuous Beam Cold Atom Ramsey Interferometer
title_full Characterization of a Continuous Beam Cold Atom Ramsey Interferometer
title_fullStr Characterization of a Continuous Beam Cold Atom Ramsey Interferometer
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of a Continuous Beam Cold Atom Ramsey Interferometer
title_short Characterization of a Continuous Beam Cold Atom Ramsey Interferometer
title_sort characterization of a continuous beam cold atom ramsey interferometer
topic atom interferometry
inertial navigation
laser cooling
quantum sensing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-2004/11/3/51
work_keys_str_mv AT michaelpmanicchia characterizationofacontinuousbeamcoldatomramseyinterferometer
AT jeffreyglee characterizationofacontinuousbeamcoldatomramseyinterferometer
AT frankanarducci characterizationofacontinuousbeamcoldatomramseyinterferometer