Ultracold atom interferometry in space

authored by
Maike D. Lachmann, Holger Ahlers, Dennis Becker, Aline N. Dinkelaker, Jens Grosse, Ortwin Hellmig, Hauke Müntinga, Vladimir Schkolnik, Stephan T. Seidel, Thijs Wendrich, André Wenzlawski, Benjamin Carrick, Naceur Gaaloul, Daniel Lüdtke, Claus Braxmaier, Wolfgang Ertmer, Markus Krutzik, Claus Lämmerzahl, Achim Peters, Wolfgang P. Schleich, Klaus Sengstock, Andreas Wicht, Patrick Windpassinger, Ernst M. Rasel
Abstract

Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in free fall constitute a promising source for space-borne interferometry. Indeed, BECs enjoy a slowly expanding wave function, display a large spatial coherence and can be engineered and probed by optical techniques. Here we explore matter-wave fringes of multiple spinor components of a BEC released in free fall employing light-pulses to drive Bragg processes and induce phase imprinting on a sounding rocket. The prevailing microgravity played a crucial role in the observation of these interferences which not only reveal the spatial coherence of the condensates but also allow us to measure differential forces. Our work marks the beginning of matter-wave interferometry in space with future applications in fundamental physics, navigation and earth observation.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Quantum Optics
QUEST-Leibniz Research School
QuantumFrontiers
External Organisation(s)
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin)
University of Potsdam
University of Bremen
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Universität Hamburg
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Institut für Quantenphysik and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST)
Texas A and M University
Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH)
Type
Article
Journal
Nature Communications
Volume
12
ISSN
2041-1723
Publication date
12.2021
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Chemistry(all), Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all), Physics and Astronomy(all)
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21628-z (Access: Open)