Continuous Cold-atom Inertial Sensor with 1 nrad.s−11\ \text{nrad.s}^{-1} Rotation Stability

We report the operation of a cold-atom inertial sensor which continuously captures the rotation signal. Using a joint interrogation scheme, where we simultaneously prepare a cold-atom source and operate an atom interferometer (AI) enables us to eliminate the dead times. We show that such continuous operation improves the short-term sensitivity of AIs, and demonstrate a rotation sensitivity of $100\ \text{nrad.s}^{-1}.\text{Hz}^{-1/2}$ in a cold-atom gyroscope of $11 \ \text{cm}^2$ Sagnac area. We also demonstrate a rotation stability of $1 \ \text{nrad.s}^{-1}$ at $10^4$ s of integration time, which establishes the record for atomic gyroscopes. The continuous operation of cold-atom inertial sensors will enable to benefit from the full sensitivity potential of large area AIs, determined by the quantum noise limit.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Benefits and challenges of high sensitivity atom interferometers in optical cavities

International audienc

A half-degenerate optical resonator for cold-atom interferometry

International audienceWe present the analysis of a half degenerate optical resonator consisting of a lens located between two plane mirrors. This resonator was designed to support a large waist (cm) Gaussian beam for applications to precision inertial measurements based on large momentum transfer atom interferometry. We investigate the spatial profile of the resonating beam, and the optical gain for different beam size, and the influence of misalignments on the degeneracy of the cavity. FFT simulations show that aberrations and surface imperfections of the optics are the main contributors to spatial inhomogeneities of the resonating beam, which supports our experimental results. We also report the stability of this resonator locked to an ultra-stable optical reference

A half-degenerate optical resonator for cold-atom interferometry

International audienceWe present the analysis of a half degenerate optical resonator consisting of a lens located between two plane mirrors. This resonator was designed to support a large waist (cm) Gaussian beam for applications to precision inertial measurements based on large momentum transfer atom interferometry. We investigate the spatial profile of the resonating beam, and the optical gain for different beam size, and the influence of misalignments on the degeneracy of the cavity. FFT simulations show that aberrations and surface imperfections of the optics are the main contributors to spatial inhomogeneities of the resonating beam, which supports our experimental results. We also report the stability of this resonator locked to an ultra-stable optical reference

Benefits and challenges of high sensitivity atom interferometers in optical cavities

International audienc

Benefits and challenges of high sensitivity atom interferometers in optical cavities

International audienc

Benefits and challenges of high sensitivity atom interferometers in optical cavities

International audienc

A Large Mode Optical Resonator for Enhanced Atom Interferometry

International audienc

Study of a large mode, compact, degenerate optical resonator for a tophat beam

International audienc

Study of a large mode, compact, degenerate optical resonator for a tophat beam

International audienc