355 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
Preparing Scientists, Policy-Makers, and Managers for a Fast-Forward Future
Ecosystems in the SacramentoâSan Joaquin Delta are changing rapidly, as are ecosystems around the world. Extreme events are becoming more frequent and thresholds are likely to be crossed more often, creating greater uncertainty about future conditions. The accelerating speed of change means that ecological systems may not remain stable long enough for scientists to understand them, much less use their research findings to inform policy and management. Faced with these challenges, those involved in science, policy, and management must adapt and change and anticipate what the ecosystems may be like in the future. We highlight several ways of looking aheadâscenario analyses, horizon scanning, expert elicitation, and dynamic planningâand suggest that recent advances in distributional ecology, disturbance ecology, resilience thinking, and our increased understanding of coupled humanânatural systems may provide fresh ways of thinking about more rapid change in the future. To accelerate forward-looking science, policy, and management in the Delta, we propose that the State of California create a Delta Science Visioning Process to fully and openly assess the challenges of more rapid change to science, policy, and management and propose appropriate solutions, through legislation, if needed
6-axis inertial sensor using cold-atom interferometry
We have developed an atom interferometer providing a full inertial base. This
device uses two counter-propagating cold-atom clouds that are launched in
strongly curved parabolic trajectories. Three single Raman beam pairs, pulsed
in time, are successively applied in three orthogonal directions leading to the
measurement of the three axis of rotation and acceleration. In this purpose, we
introduce a new atom gyroscope using a butterfly geometry. We discuss the
present sensitivity and the possible improvements.Comment: submitted to PR
Matter-wave laser Interferometric Gravitation Antenna (MIGA): New perspectives for fundamental physics and geosciences
The MIGA project aims at demonstrating precision measurements of gravity with
cold atom sensors in a large scale instrument and at studying the associated
applications in geosciences and fundamental physics. The first stage of the
project (2013-2018) will consist in building a 300-meter long optical cavity to
interrogate atom interferometers and will be based at the low noise underground
laboratory LSBB in Rustrel, France. The second stage of the project (2018-2023)
will be dedicated to science runs and data analyses in order to probe the
spatio-temporal structure of the local gravity field of the LSBB region, a site
of high hydrological interest. MIGA will also assess future potential
applications of atom interferometry to gravitational wave detection in the
frequency band Hz hardly covered by future long baseline optical
interferometers. This paper presents the main objectives of the project, the
status of the construction of the instrument and the motivation for the
applications of MIGA in geosciences. Important results on new atom
interferometry techniques developed at SYRTE in the context of MIGA and paving
the way to precision gravity measurements are also reported.Comment: Proceedings of the 50th Rencontres de Moriond "100 years after GR",
La Thuile (Italy), 21-28 March 2015 - 10 pages, 5 figures, 23 references
version2: added references, corrected typo
Measurement of the sensitivity function in time-domain atomic interferometer
submitted to IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas.We present here an analysis of the sensitivity of a time-domain atomic interferometer to the phase noise of the lasers used to manipulate the atomic wave-packets. The sensitivity function is calculated in the case of a three pulse Mach-Zehnder interferometer, which is the configuration of the two inertial sensors we are building at BNM-SYRTE. We successfully compare this calculation to experimental measurements. The sensitivity of the interferometer is limited by the phase noise of the lasers, as well as by residual vibrations. We evaluate the performance that could be obtained with state of the art quartz oscillators, as well as the impact of the residual phase noise of the phase-lock loop. Requirements on the level of vibrations is derived from the same formalism
Representing the function and sensitivity of coastal interfaces in Earth system models
Between the land and ocean, diverse coastal ecosystems transform, store, and transport material. Across these interfaces, the dynamic exchange of energy and matter is driven by hydrological and hydrodynamic processes such as river and groundwater discharge, tides, waves, and storms. These dynamics regulate ecosystem functions and Earth\u27s climate, yet global models lack representation of coastal processes and related feedbacks, impeding their predictions of coastal and global responses to change. Here, we assess existing coastal monitoring networks and regional models, existing challenges in these efforts, and recommend a path towards development of global models that more robustly reflect the coastal interface. Coastal systems are hotspots of ecological, geochemical and economic activity, yet their dynamics are not accurately represented in global models. In this Review, Ward and colleagues assess the current state of coastal science and recommend approaches for including the coastal interface in predictive models
On the accumulation of organic matter on the southeastern Brazilian continental shelf: A case study based on a sediment core from the shelf off Rio de Janeiro
Sterol and fatty acid biomarkers and isotopic composition (delta 13C and delta 15N) of bulk organic matter (OM) were quantified in a sediment core to characterize the accumulation of autochthonous OM in an area on the continental shelf adjacent to Rio de Janeiro State. In the sediment surface (0-1 cm) the concentration of total sterols and fatty acids was at least one order of magnitude higher than that measured deeper down in the core and was dominated by labile and planktonic-derived biomarker compounds. These results suggest, as is confirmed by multivariate statistical analysis, the occurrence of an event of enhanced primary production in the water column and efficient export of particles to the bottom. Similar conditions have been observed at Cabo Frio, located 150 km to the north of our study site, during an upwelling event, suggesting that such events may exert a regional influence on primary production on the south-eastern Brazilian continental shelf. Beyond the signatures from this event, the presence of biomarker compounds from vascular plants suggests the additional influence of an outflow from Guanabara Bay at the study site. These results point to the need for further investigation of the relative influence of physical forcings and continental inputs on the biogeochemical processes on the section of the continental shelf considered in the present study
High-vacuum-compatible high-power Faraday isolators for gravitational-wave interferometers
Faraday isolators play a key role in the operation of large-scale gravitational-wave detectors. Second-generation gravitational-wave interferometers such as the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Advanced Virgo will use high-average-power cw lasers (up to 200 W) requiring specially designed Faraday isolators that are immune to the effects resulting from the laser beam absorptionâdegraded isolation ratio, thermal lensing, and thermally induced beam steering. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of Faraday isolators designed specifically for high-performance operation in high-power gravitational-wave interferometers
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
Dual-wavelength laser source for onboard atom interferometry
We present a compact and stable dual-wavelength laser source for onboard atom
interferometry with two different atomic species. It is based on
frequency-doubled telecom lasers locked on a femtosecond optical frequency
comb. We take advantage of the maturity of fiber telecom technology to reduce
the number of free-space optical components which are intrinsically less
stable, and to make the setup immune to vibrations and thermal fluctuations.
The source provides the frequency agility and phase stability required for atom
interferometry and can easily be adapted to other cold atom experiments. We
have shown its robustness by achieving the first dual-species K-Rb magneto
optical trap in microgravity during parabolic flights
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