Magnetometry with a space-based differential atom interferometer
Abstract
Atom interferometers deployed in space are excellent tools for high precision measurements, navigation, or Earth observation. In particular, differential interferometric setups feature common-mode noise suppression and enable reliable measurements in the presence of ambient platform noise. Here we report on orbital magnetometry campaigns performed with differential single- and double-loop interferometers in NASA’s Cold Atom Lab aboard the International Space Station. By comparing measurements with atoms in magnetically sensitive and insensitive states, we have realized atomic magnetometers mapping magnetic field curvatures. Our results pave the way towards precision quantum sensing missions in space.
Details
- Organisation(s)
-
Institute of Quantum Optics
- External Organisation(s)
-
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Ulm University
Universite Paris-Sud XI
Technische Universität Darmstadt
University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
California Institute of Caltech (Caltech)
Texas A and M University
University of Rochester
- Type
- Article
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Volume
- 17
- ISSN
- 2041-1723
- Publication date
- 11.07.2026
- Publication status
- Published
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry, General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology, General, General Physics and Astronomy
- Electronic version(s)
-
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75230-2 (Access:
Open
)
Cite
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