200 research outputs found
Enhancing the area of a Raman atom interferometer using a versatile double-diffraction technique
IIn this paper we demonstrate a new scheme for Raman transitions which
realize a symmetric momentum-space splitting of , deflecting the
atomic wave-packets into the same internal state. Combining the advantages of
Raman and Bragg diffraction, we achieve a three pulse state labelled
interferometer, intrinsically insensitive to the main systematics and
applicable to all kind of atomic sources. This splitting scheme can be extended
to momentum transfer by a multipulse sequence and is implemented
on a interferometer. We demonstrate the area enhancement by
measuring inertial forces
Double diffraction in an atomic gravimeter
We demonstrate the realization of a new scheme for cold atom gravimetry based
on the use of double diffraction beamsplitters recently demonstrated in
\cite{Leveque}, where the use of two retro-reflected Raman beams allows
symmetric diffraction in momenta. Though in principle
restricted to the case of zero Doppler shift, for which the two pairs of Raman
beams are simultaneously resonant, we demonstrate that such diffraction pulses
can remain efficient on atoms with non zero velocity, such as in a gravimeter,
when modulating the frequency of one of the two Raman laser sources. We use
such pulses to realize an interferometer insensitive to laser phase noise and
some of the dominant systematics. This reduces the technical requirements and
would allow the realization of a simple atomic gravimeter. We demonstrate a
sensitivity of per shot
Actes de la Conférence nationale et du 13e Colloque de l'AQPC
Également disponible en version papierTitre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 2 août 2009
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
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
Green manure plants for remediation of soils polluted by metals and metalloids: Ecotoxicity and human bioavailability assessment
Borage, white mustard and phacelia, green manure plants currently used in agriculture to improve soil properties were cultivated for 10 wk on various polluted soils with metal(loid) concentrations representative of urban brownfields or polluted kitchen gardens. Metal(loid) bioavailability and ecotoxicity were measured in relation to soil characteristics before and after treatment. All the plants efficiently grow on the various polluted soils. But borage and mustard only are able to modify the soil characteristics and metal(loid) impact: soil respiration increased while ecotoxicity, bioaccessible lead and total metal(loid) quantities in soils can be decreased respectively by phytostabilization and phytoextraction mechanisms. These two plants could therefore be used for urban polluted soil refunctionalization. However, plant efficiency to improve soil quality strongly depends on soil characteristics
Phase-locking of two self-seeded tapered amplifier lasers
We report on the phase-locking of two diode lasers based on self-seeded
tapered amplifiers. In these lasers, a reduction of linewidth is achieved using
narrow-band high-transmission interference filters for frequency selection. The
lasers combine a compact design with a Lorentzian linewidth below 200 kHz at an
output power of 300 mW. We characterize the phase noise of the phase-locked
laser system and study its potential for coherent beam-splitting in atom
interferometers.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
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