50 research outputs found
Characterization and limits of a cold atom Sagnac interferometer
We present the full evaluation of a cold atom gyroscope based on atom
interferometry. We have performed extensive studies to determine the systematic
errors, scale factor and sensitivity. We demonstrate that the acceleration
noise can be efficiently removed from the rotation signal allowing to reach the
fundamental limit of the quantum projection noise for short term measurements.
The technical limits to the long term sensitivity and accuracy have been
identified, clearing the way for the next generations of ultra-sensitive atom
gyroscopes
PHARAO Laser Source Flight Model: Design and Performances
In this paper, we describe the design and the main performances of the PHARAO
laser source flight model. PHARAO is a laser cooled cesium clock specially
designed for operation in space and the laser source is one of the main
sub-systems. The flight model presented in this work is the first
remote-controlled laser system designed for spaceborne cold atom manipulation.
The main challenges arise from mechanical compatibility with space constraints,
which impose a high level of compactness, a low electric power consumption, a
wide range of operating temperature and a vacuum environment. We describe the
main functions of the laser source and give an overview of the main
technologies developed for this instrument. We present some results of the
qualification process. The characteristics of the laser source flight model,
and their impact on the clock performances, have been verified in operational
conditions.Comment: Accepted for publication in Review of Scientific Instrument
Theoretical Analysis of a Large Momentum Beamsplitter using Bloch Oscillations
In this paper, we present the implementation of Bloch oscillations in an
atomic interferometer to increase the separation of the two interfering paths.
A numerical model, in very good agreement with the experiment, is developed.
The contrast of the interferometer and its sensitivity to phase fluctuations
and to intensity fluctuations are also calculated. We demonstrate that the
sensitivity to phase fluctuations can be significantly reduced by using a
suitable arrangement of Bloch oscillations pulses
Low noise amplication of an optically carried microwave signal: application to atom interferometry
In this paper, we report a new scheme to amplify a microwave signal carried
on a laser light at =852nm. The amplification is done via a
semiconductor tapered amplifier and this scheme is used to drive stimulated
Raman transitions in an atom interferometer. Sideband generation in the
amplifier, due to self-phase and amplitude modulation, is investigated and
characterized. We also demonstrate that the amplifier does not induce any
significant phase-noise on the beating signal. Finally, the degradation of the
performances of the interferometer due to the amplification process is shown to
be negligible
CARIOQA: Definition of a Quantum Pathfinder Mission
A strong potential gain for space applications is expected from the
anticipated performances of inertial sensors based on cold atom interferometry
(CAI) that measure the acceleration of freely falling independent atoms by
manipulating them with laser light. In this context, CNES and its partners
initiated a phase 0 study, called CARIOQA, in order to develop a Quantum
Pathfinder Mission unlocking key features of atom interferometry for space and
paving the way for future ambitious space missions utilizing this technology.
As a cornerstone for the implementation of quantum sensors in space, the
CARIOQA phase 0 aimed at defining the Quantum Pathfinder Mission's scenario and
associated performance objectives. To comply with these objectives, the payload
architecture has been designed to achieve long interrogation time and active
rotation compensation on a BEC-based atom interferometer. A study of the
satellite architecture, including all the subsystems, has been conducted.
Several technical solutions for propulsion and attitude control have been
investigated in order to guarantee optimal operating conditions (limitation of
micro-vibrations, maximization of measurement time). A preliminary design of
the satellite platform was performed.Comment: Proceedings of International Conference on Space Optics (ICSO) 2022;
3-7 October 2022; Dubrovnik; Croati
Universal intermittent properties of particle trajectories in highly turbulent flows
We present a collection of eight data sets, from state-of-the-art experiments
and numerical simulations on turbulent velocity statistics along particle
trajectories obtained in different flows with Reynolds numbers in the range
. Lagrangian structure functions from all data sets
are found to collapse onto each other on a wide range of time lags, revealing a
universal statistics, and calling for a unified theoretical description.
Parisi-Frisch Multifractal theory, suitable extended to the dissipative scales
and to the Lagrangian domain, is found to capture intermittency of velocity
statistics over the whole three decades of temporal scales here investigated.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure; content changed, references update
Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map
We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies.publishedVersio
Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map
We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies
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Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map
We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies