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Elliott ER, Aveline DC, Bigelow NP, Boegel P, Botsi S, Charron E, D'Incao JP, Engels P, Estrampes T, Gaaloul N, Kellogg JR, Kohel JM, Lay NE, Lundblad N, Meister M, Mossman ME, Müller G, Müller H, Oudrhiri K, Phillips LE, Pichery A, Rasel EM, Sackett CA, Sbroscia M, Schleich WP, Thompson RJ, Williams JR. Quantum gas mixtures and dual-species atom interferometry in space. Nature 2023; 623:502-508. [PMID: 37968524 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06645-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The capability to reach ultracold atomic temperatures in compact instruments has recently been extended into space1,2. Ultracold temperatures amplify quantum effects, whereas free fall allows further cooling and longer interactions time with gravity-the final force without a quantum description. On Earth, these devices have produced macroscopic quantum phenomena such as Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs), superfluidity, and strongly interacting quantum gases3. Terrestrial quantum sensors interfering the superposition of two ultracold atomic isotopes have tested the universality of free fall (UFF), a core tenet of Einstein's classical gravitational theory, at the 10-12 level4. In space, cooling the elements needed to explore the rich physics of strong interactions or perform quantum tests of the UFF has remained elusive. Here, using upgraded hardware of the multiuser Cold Atom Lab (CAL) instrument aboard the International Space Station (ISS), we report, to our knowledge, the first simultaneous production of a dual-species BEC in space (formed from 87Rb and 41K), observation of interspecies interactions, as well as the production of 39K ultracold gases. Operating a single laser at a 'magic wavelength' at which Rabi rates of simultaneously applied Bragg pulses are equal, we have further achieved the first spaceborne demonstration of simultaneous atom interferometry with two atomic species (87Rb and 41K). These results are an important step towards quantum tests of UFF in space and will allow scientists to investigate aspects of few-body physics, quantum chemistry and fundamental physics in new regimes without the perturbing asymmetry of gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan R Elliott
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
| | - David C Aveline
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas P Bigelow
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Patrick Boegel
- Institut für Quantenphysik and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST), Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sofia Botsi
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Eric Charron
- Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Orsay, France
| | - José P D'Incao
- JILA, NIST, and the Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Peter Engels
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Timothé Estrampes
- Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Orsay, France
- Institute of Quantum Optics, QUEST-Leibniz Research School, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Naceur Gaaloul
- Institute of Quantum Optics, QUEST-Leibniz Research School, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - James R Kellogg
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - James M Kohel
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Norman E Lay
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Nathan Lundblad
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, USA
| | - Matthias Meister
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Quantum Technologies, Ulm, Germany
| | - Maren E Mossman
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel Müller
- Institute of Quantum Optics, QUEST-Leibniz Research School, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Holger Müller
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Kamal Oudrhiri
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Leah E Phillips
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Annie Pichery
- Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Orsay, France
- Institute of Quantum Optics, QUEST-Leibniz Research School, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ernst M Rasel
- Institute of Quantum Optics, QUEST-Leibniz Research School, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Charles A Sackett
- Physics Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Matteo Sbroscia
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Wolfgang P Schleich
- Institut für Quantenphysik and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST), Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Hagler Institute for Advanced Study, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering (IQSE), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Robert J Thompson
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jason R Williams
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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Li L, Zhou C, Xiong W, Huang M, Fang S, Xu X, Ji J, Gao M, Song T, Hong Y, Liang Z, Chen D, Hou X, Zhou X, Chen X, Chen W, Wang B, Li T, Liu L. All-fiber laser system for all-optical 87Rb Bose Einstein condensate to space application. APPLIED OPTICS 2023; 62:7844-7851. [PMID: 37855495 DOI: 10.1364/ao.497749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
In the development of the Cold Atom Physics Research Rack (CAPR) on board the Chinese Space Station, the laser system plays a critical role in preparing the all-optical 87 R b Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). An all-fiber laser system has been developed for CAPR to provide the required optical fields for atom interaction and to maintain the beam pointing in long-term operation. The laser system integrates a 780 nm fiber laser system and an all-fiber optical control module for sub-Doppler cooling, as well as an all-fiber 1064 nm laser system for evaporative cooling. The high-power, single-frequency 780 nm lasers are achieved through rare-Earth doped fiber amplification, fiber frequency-doubling, and frequency stabilization technology. The all-fiber optical control module divides the output of the 780 nm laser system into 15 channels and regulates them for cooling, trapping, and probing atoms. Moreover, the power consistency of each pair of cooling beams is ensured by three power tracking modules, which is a prerequisite for maintaining stable MOT and molasses. A high-power, compact, controlled-flexible, and highly stable l064 nm all-fiber laser system employing two-stage ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier (YDFA) technology has been designed for evaporative cooling in the optical dipole trap (ODT). Finally, an all-optical 87 R b BEC is realized with this all-fiber laser system, which provides an alternative solution for trapping and manipulating ultra-cold atoms in challenging environmental conditions.
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He M, Chen X, Fang J, Chen Q, Sun H, Wang Y, Zhong J, Zhou L, He C, Li J, Zhang D, Ge G, Wang W, Zhou Y, Li X, Zhang X, Qin L, Chen Z, Xu R, Wang Y, Xiong Z, Jiang J, Cai Z, Li K, Zheng G, Peng W, Wang J, Zhan M. The space cold atom interferometer for testing the equivalence principle in the China Space Station. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:58. [PMID: 37507455 PMCID: PMC10382534 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00306-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The precision of the weak equivalence principle (WEP) test using atom interferometers (AIs) is expected to be extremely high in microgravity environment. The microgravity scientific laboratory cabinet (MSLC) in the China Space Station (CSS) can provide a higher-level microgravity than the CSS itself, which provides a good experimental environment for scientific experiments that require high microgravity. We designed and realized a payload of a dual-species cold rubidium atom interferometer. The payload is highly integrated and has a size of [Formula: see text]. It will be installed in the MSLC to carry out high-precision WEP test experiment. In this article, we introduce the constraints and guidelines of the payload design, the compositions and functions of the scientific payload, the expected test precision in space, and some results of the ground test experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng He
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Jie Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qunfeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Huanyao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yibo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hefei National Laboratory, Hefei, 230094, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hefei National Laboratory, Hefei, 230094, China
| | - Chuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jinting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Danfang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guiguo Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wenzhang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lei Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhiyong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Rundong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zongyuan Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Junjie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhendi Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kuo Li
- Wuhan Zmvision Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Guo Zheng
- Wuhan Zmvision Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Weihua Peng
- Wuhan Zmvision Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory, Hefei, 230094, China.
- Wuhan Institute of Quantum Technology, Wuhan, 430206, China.
| | - Mingsheng Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory, Hefei, 230094, China.
- Wuhan Institute of Quantum Technology, Wuhan, 430206, China.
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A space-based quantum gas laboratory at picokelvin energy scales. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7889. [PMID: 36550117 PMCID: PMC9780313 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35274-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultracold quantum gases are ideal sources for high-precision space-borne sensing as proposed for Earth observation, relativistic geodesy and tests of fundamental physical laws as well as for studying new phenomena in many-body physics during extended free fall. Here we report on experiments with the Cold Atom Lab aboard the International Space Station, where we have achieved exquisite control over the quantum state of single 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensates paving the way for future high-precision measurements. In particular, we have applied fast transport protocols to shuttle the atomic cloud over a millimeter distance with sub-micrometer accuracy and subsequently drastically reduced the total expansion energy to below 100 pK with matter-wave lensing techniques.
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5
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McGilligan JP, Gallacher K, Griffin PF, Paul DJ, Arnold AS, Riis E. Micro-fabricated components for cold atom sensors. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2022; 93:091101. [PMID: 36182455 DOI: 10.1063/5.0101628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Laser cooled atoms have proven transformative for precision metrology, playing a pivotal role in state-of-the-art clocks and interferometers and having the potential to provide a step-change in our modern technological capabilities. To successfully explore their full potential, laser cooling platforms must be translated from the laboratory environment and into portable, compact quantum sensors for deployment in practical applications. This transition requires the amalgamation of a wide range of components and expertise if an unambiguously chip-scale cold atom sensor is to be realized. We present recent developments in cold-atom sensor miniaturization, focusing on key components that enable laser cooling on the chip-scale. The design, fabrication, and impact of the components on sensor scalability and performance will be discussed with an outlook to the next generation of chip-scale cold atom devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P McGilligan
- SUPA and Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - K Gallacher
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8LT, United Kingdom
| | - P F Griffin
- SUPA and Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - D J Paul
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8LT, United Kingdom
| | - A S Arnold
- SUPA and Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - E Riis
- SUPA and Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
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6
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Wang H, Wang K, Xu Y, Tang Y, Wu B, Cheng B, Wu L, Zhou Y, Weng K, Zhu D, Chen P, Zhang K, Lin Q. A Truck-Borne System Based on Cold Atom Gravimeter for Measuring the Absolute Gravity in the Field. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:6172. [PMID: 36015933 PMCID: PMC9414060 DOI: 10.3390/s22166172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The cold atom gravimeter (CAG) has proven to be a powerful quantum sensor for the high-precision measurement of gravity field, which can work stably for a long time in the laboratory. However, most CAGs cannot operate in the field due to their complex structure, large volume and poor environmental adaptability. In this paper, a home-made, miniaturized CAG is developed and a truck-borne system based on it is integrated to measure the absolute gravity in the field. The measurement performance of this system is evaluated by applying it to measurements of the gravity field around the Xianlin reservoir in Hangzhou City of China. The internal and external coincidence accuracies of this measurement system were demonstrated to be 35.4 μGal and 76.7 μGal, respectively. Furthermore, the theoretical values of the measured eight points are calculated by using a forward modeling of a local high-resolution digital elevation model, and the calculated values are found to be in good agreement with the measured values. The results of this paper show that this home-made, truck-borne CAG system is reliable, and it is expected to improve the efficiency of gravity surveying in the field.
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7
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Hybrid Electrostatic–Atomic Accelerometer for Future Space Gravity Missions. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14143273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Long-term observation of Earth’s temporal gravity field with enhanced temporal and spatial resolution is a major objective for future satellite gravity missions. Improving the performance of the accelerometers present in such missions is one of the main paths to explore. In this context, we propose to study an original concept of a hybrid accelerometer associating a state-of-the-art electrostatic accelerometer (EA) and a promising quantum sensor based on cold atom interferometry. To assess the performance potential of such an instrument, numerical simulations were performed to determine its impact in terms of gravity field retrieval. Taking advantage of the long-term stability of the cold atom interferometer (CAI), it is shown that the reduced drift of the hybrid sensor could lead to improved gravity field retrieval. Nevertheless, this gain vanishes once temporal variations of the gravity field and related aliasing effects are taken into account. Improved de-aliasing models or some specific satellite constellations are then required to maximize the impact of the accelerometer performance gain. To evaluate the achievable acceleration performance in-orbit, a numerical simulator of the hybrid accelerometer was developed and preliminary results are given. The instrument simulator was in part validated by reproducing the performance achieved with a hybrid lab prototype operating on the ground. The problem of satellite rotation impact on the CAI was also investigated both with instrument performance simulations and experimental demonstrations. It is shown that the proposed configuration, where the EA’s proof-mass acts as the reference mirror for the CAI, seems a promising approach to allow the mitigation of satellite rotation. To evaluate the feasibility of such an instrument for space applications, a preliminary design is elaborated along with a preliminary error, mass, volume, and electrical power consumption budget.
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Madkhaly SH, Cooper N, Coles L, Hackermüller L. High-performance, additively-manufactured atomic spectroscopy apparatus for portable quantum technologies. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:25753-25764. [PMID: 36237098 DOI: 10.1364/oe.455678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a miniaturised and highly robust system for performing Doppler-free spectroscopy on thermal atomic vapour for three frequencies as required for cold atom-based quantum technologies. The application of additive manufacturing techniques, together with efficient use of optical components, produce a compact, stable optical system, with a volume of 0.089 L and a weight of 120 g. The device occupies less than a tenth of the volume of, and is considerably lower cost than, conventional spectroscopic systems, but also offers excellent stability against environmental disturbances. We characterise the response of the system to changes in environmental temperature between 7 and 35 ∘C and exposure to vibrations between 0 - 2000 Hz, finding that the system can reliably perform spectroscopic measurements despite substantial vibrational noise and temperature changes. Our results show that 3D-printed optical systems are an excellent solution for portable quantum technologies.
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Carollo RA, Aveline DC, Rhyno B, Vishveshwara S, Lannert C, Murphree JD, Elliott ER, Williams JR, Thompson RJ, Lundblad N. Observation of ultracold atomic bubbles in orbital microgravity. Nature 2022; 606:281-286. [PMID: 35585238 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04639-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Substantial leaps in the understanding of quantum systems have been driven by exploring geometry, topology, dimensionality and interactions in ultracold atomic ensembles1-6. A system where atoms evolve while confined on an ellipsoidal surface represents a heretofore unexplored geometry and topology. Realizing an ultracold bubble-potentially Bose-Einstein condensed-relates to areas of interest including quantized-vortex flow constrained to a closed surface topology, collective modes and self-interference via bubble expansion7-17. Large ultracold bubbles, created by inflating smaller condensates, directly tie into Hubble-analogue expansion physics18-20. Here we report observations from the NASA Cold Atom Lab21 facility onboard the International Space Station of bubbles of ultracold atoms created using a radiofrequency-dressing protocol. We observe bubble configurations of varying size and initial temperature, and explore bubble thermodynamics, demonstrating substantial cooling associated with inflation. We achieve partial coverings of bubble traps greater than one millimetre in size with ultracold films of inferred few-micrometre thickness, and we observe the dynamics of shell structures projected into free-evolving harmonic confinement. The observations are among the first measurements made with ultracold atoms in space, using perpetual freefall to explore quantum systems that are prohibitively difficult to create on Earth. This work heralds future studies (in orbital microgravity) of the Bose-Einstein condensed bubble, the character of its excitations and the role of topology in its evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Carollo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, USA
| | - D C Aveline
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - B Rhyno
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - S Vishveshwara
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - C Lannert
- Department of Physics, Smith College, Northampton, MA, USA.,Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - J D Murphree
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, USA
| | - E R Elliott
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - J R Williams
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - R J Thompson
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - N Lundblad
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, USA.
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Strangfeld A, Wiegand B, Kluge J, Schoch M, Krutzik M. Compact plug and play optical frequency reference device based on Doppler-free spectroscopy of rubidium vapor. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:12039-12047. [PMID: 35473133 DOI: 10.1364/oe.453942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Compactness, robustness and autonomy of optical frequency references are prerequisites for reliable operation in mobile systems, on ground as well as in space. We present a standalone plug and play optical frequency reference device based on frequency modulation spectroscopy of the D2-transition in rubidium at 780 nm. After a single button press the hand-sized laser module, based on the micro-integrated laser-optical bench described in [J. Opt. Soc. Am. B38, 1885 (2021)10.1364/JOSAB.420875], works fully autonomous and generates 6 mW of frequency stabilized light with a relative frequency instability of 1.4×10-12 at 1 s and below 10-11 at 105 s averaging time. We describe the design of the device, investigate the thermal characteristics affecting the output frequency and demonstrate short-term frequency stability improvement by a Bayesian optimizer varying the modulation parameters.
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11
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Modeling Atom Interferometry Experiments with Bose–Einstein Condensates in Power-Law Potentials. ATOMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atoms10010034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent atom interferometry (AI) experiments involving Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) have been conducted under extreme conditions of volume and interrogation time. Numerical solution of the rotating-frame Gross–Pitaevskii equation (RFGPE), which is the standard mean-field theory applied to these experiments, is impractical due to the excessive computation time and memory required. We present a variational model that provides approximate solutions of the RFGPE for a power-law potential on a practical time scale. This model is well-suited to the design and analysis of AI experiments involving BECs that are split and later recombined to form an interference pattern. We derive the equations of motion of the variational parameters for this model and illustrate how the model can be applied to the sequence of steps in a recent AI experiment where BECs were used to implement a dual-Sagnac atom interferometer rotation sensor. We use this model to investigate the impact of finite-size and interaction effects on the single-Sagnac-interferometer phase shift.
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12
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Badurina L, Buchmueller O, Ellis J, Lewicki M, McCabe C, Vaskonen V. Prospective sensitivities of atom interferometers to gravitational waves and ultralight dark matter. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2022; 380:20210060. [PMID: 34923845 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2021.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We survey the prospective sensitivities of terrestrial and space-borne atom interferometers to gravitational waves generated by cosmological and astrophysical sources, and to ultralight dark matter. We discuss the backgrounds from gravitational gradient noise in terrestrial detectors, and also binary pulsar and asteroid backgrounds in space-borne detectors. We compare the sensitivities of LIGO and LISA with those of the 100 m and 1 km stages of the AION terrestrial AI project, as well as two options for the proposed AEDGE AI space mission with cold atom clouds either inside or outside the spacecraft, considering as possible sources the mergers of black holes and neutron stars, supernovae, phase transitions in the early Universe, cosmic strings and quantum fluctuations in the early Universe that could have generated primordial black holes. We also review the capabilities of AION and AEDGE for detecting coherent waves of ultralight scalar dark matter. AION-REPORT/2021-04 KCL-PH-TH/2021-61, CERN-TH-2021-116 This article is part of the theme issue 'Quantum technologies in particle physics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Badurina
- Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Oliver Buchmueller
- High Energy Physics Group, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - John Ellis
- Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK
- Theoretical Physics Department, CERN, Geneva 23 1211, Switzerland
- National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Rävala 10, Tallinn 10143, Estonia
| | - Marek Lewicki
- Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Pasteura 5, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Christopher McCabe
- Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Ville Vaskonen
- Institut de Fisica d'Altes Energies (IFAE), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
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Kanai T, Guo W. True Mechanism of Spontaneous Order from Turbulence in Two-Dimensional Superfluid Manifolds. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 127:095301. [PMID: 34506186 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.127.095301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In a 2D turbulent fluid containing pointlike vortices, Lars Onsager predicted that adding energy to the fluid can lead to the formation of persistent clusters of like-signed vortices, i.e., Onsager vortex (OV) clusters. In the evolution of 2D superfluid turbulence in a uniform disk-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), it was discovered that a pair of OV clusters with opposite signs can form without any energy input. This striking spontaneous order was explained as being due to a vortex evaporative-heating mechanism, i.e., annihilations of vortex-antivortex pairs which remove the lowest-energy vortices and thereby boost the mean energy per vortex. However, in our search for exotic OV states in a boundaryless 2D spherical BEC, we found that OV clusters never form despite the annihilations of vortex pairs. Our analysis reveals that contrary to the general belief, vortex-pair annihilation emits intense sound waves, which damp the motion of all vortices and hence suppress the formation of OV clusters. We also present unequivocal evidence showing that the true mechanism underlying the observed spontaneous OV state is the vortices exiting the BEC boundaries. Uncovering this mechanism paves the way for a comprehensive understanding of emergent vortex orders in 2D manifolds of superfluids driven far from equilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Kanai
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, USA
- Department of Physics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA
| | - Wei Guo
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, USA
- Mechanical Engineering Department, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, USA
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14
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Ravenhall S, Yuen B, Foot C. High-flux, adjustable, compact cold-atom source. OPTICS EXPRESS 2021; 29:21143-21159. [PMID: 34265907 DOI: 10.1364/oe.423662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Magneto-optical traps (MOTs) are widely used for laser cooling of atoms. We have developed a high-flux compact cold-atom source based on a pyramid MOT with a unique adjustable aperture that is highly suitable for portable quantum technology devices, including space-based experiments. The adjustability enabled an investigation into the previously unexplored impact of aperture size on the atomic flux, and optimisation of the aperture size allowed us to demonstrate a higher flux than any reported cold-atom sources that use a pyramid, LVIS, 3D-MOT or grating MOT. We achieved 2.1(1) × 1010 atoms/s of 87Rb with a mean velocity of 32(1) m/s, FWHM of 27.6(9) m/s and divergence of 59(4) mrad. Halving the total optical power to 195 mW caused only a 20% reduction of the flux, and a 30% decrease in mean velocity. Methods to further decrease the velocity as required have been identified. The low power consumption and small size make this design suitable for a wide range of cold-atom technologies.
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15
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Kaltenbaek R, Acin A, Bacsardi L, Bianco P, Bouyer P, Diamanti E, Marquardt C, Omar Y, Pruneri V, Rasel E, Sang B, Seidel S, Ulbricht H, Ursin R, Villoresi P, van den Bossche M, von Klitzing W, Zbinden H, Paternostro M, Bassi A. Quantum technologies in space. EXPERIMENTAL ASTRONOMY 2021; 51:1677-1694. [PMID: 34744306 PMCID: PMC8536585 DOI: 10.1007/s10686-021-09731-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the European Commission supported by many European countries has announced large investments towards the commercialization of quantum technology (QT) to address and mitigate some of the biggest challenges facing today's digital era - e.g. secure communication and computing power. For more than two decades the QT community has been working on the development of QTs, which promise landmark breakthroughs leading to commercialization in various areas. The ambitious goals of the QT community and expectations of EU authorities cannot be met solely by individual initiatives of single countries, and therefore, require a combined European effort of large and unprecedented dimensions comparable only to the Galileo or Copernicus programs. Strong international competition calls for a coordinated European effort towards the development of QT in and for space, including research and development of technology in the areas of communication and sensing. Here, we aim at summarizing the state of the art in the development of quantum technologies which have an impact in the field of space applications. Our goal is to outline a complete framework for the design, development, implementation, and exploitation of quantum technology in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Kaltenbaek
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Antonio Acin
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA-Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laszlo Bacsardi
- Department of Networked Systems and Services, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Philippe Bouyer
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux–IOGS–CNRS: UMR5298, Talence, France
| | | | | | - Yasser Omar
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Telecomunicações, Lisbon, Portugal
- Y Quantum, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Valerio Pruneri
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA-Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ernst Rasel
- Institute for Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Stephan Seidel
- Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, 82024 Taufkirchen, Germany
| | - Hendrik Ulbricht
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Rupert Ursin
- Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paolo Villoresi
- Department of Information and Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Padua Quantum Technologies Research Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Wolf von Klitzing
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Mauro Paternostro
- Centre for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Angelo Bassi
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste Section, Via Valerio 2, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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16
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Prestipino S. Ultracold Bosons on a Regular Spherical Mesh. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 22:E1289. [PMID: 33287057 PMCID: PMC7712534 DOI: 10.3390/e22111289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Here, the zero-temperature phase behavior of bosonic particles living on the nodes of a regular spherical mesh ("Platonic mesh") and interacting through an extended Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian has been studied. Only the hard-core version of the model for two instances of Platonic mesh is considered here. Using the mean-field decoupling approximation, it is shown that the system may exist in various ground states, which can be regarded as analogs of gas, solid, supersolid, and superfluid. For one mesh, by comparing the theoretical results with the outcome of numerical diagonalization, I manage to uncover the signatures of diagonal and off-diagonal spatial orders in a finite quantum system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santi Prestipino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche ed Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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17
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Tononi A, Cinti F, Salasnich L. Quantum Bubbles in Microgravity. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 125:010402. [PMID: 32678632 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.125.010402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The recent developments of microgravity experiments with ultracold atoms have produced a relevant boost in the study of shell-shaped ellipsoidal Bose-Einstein condensates. For realistic bubble-trap parameters, here we calculate the critical temperature of Bose-Einstein condensation, which, if compared to the one of the bare harmonic trap with the same frequencies, shows a strong reduction. We simulate the zero-temperature density distribution with the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, and we study the free expansion of the hollow condensate. While part of the atoms expands in the outward direction, the condensate self-interferes inside the bubble trap, filling the hole in experimentally observable times. For a mesoscopic number of particles in a strongly interacting regime, for which more refined approaches are needed, we employ quantum Monte Carlo simulations, proving that the nontrivial topology of a thin shell allows superfluidity. Our work constitutes a reliable benchmark for the forthcoming scientific investigations with bubble traps.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tononi
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "Galileo Galilei," Università di Padova, via Marzolo 8, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - F Cinti
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Firenze, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- INFN, Sezione di Firenze, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
| | - L Salasnich
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "Galileo Galilei," Università di Padova, via Marzolo 8, Padova 35131, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Ottica (INO) del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), via Nello Carrara 1, Sesto Fiorentino 50125, Italy
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18
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Chen X, Fan B. The emergence of picokelvin physics. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2020; 83:076401. [PMID: 32303019 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ab8ab6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The frontier of low-temperature physics has advanced to the mid-picokelvin (pK) regime but progress has come to a halt because of the problem of gravity. Ultracold atoms must be confined in some type of potential energy well: if the depth of the well is less than the energy an atom gains by falling through it, the atom escapes. This article reviews ultracold atom research, emphasizing the advances that carried the low-temperature frontier to 450 pK. We review microgravity methods for overcoming the gravitational limit to achieving lower temperatures using free-fall techniques such as a drop tower, sounding rocket, parabolic flight plane and the International Space Station. We describe two techniques that promise further advancement-an atom chip and an all-optical trap-and present recent experimental results. Basic research in new regimes of observation has generally led to scientific discoveries and new technologies that benefit society. We expect this to be the case as the low-temperature frontier advances and we propose some new opportunities for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuzong Chen
- Institute of Quantum Electronics, Department of Electronics, School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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19
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Aveline DC, Williams JR, Elliott ER, Dutenhoffer C, Kellogg JR, Kohel JM, Lay NE, Oudrhiri K, Shotwell RF, Yu N, Thompson RJ. Observation of Bose-Einstein condensates in an Earth-orbiting research lab. Nature 2020; 582:193-197. [PMID: 32528092 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2346-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Quantum mechanics governs the microscopic world, where low mass and momentum reveal a natural wave-particle duality. Magnifying quantum behaviour to macroscopic scales is a major strength of the technique of cooling and trapping atomic gases, in which low momentum is engineered through extremely low temperatures. Advances in this field have achieved such precise control over atomic systems that gravity, often negligible when considering individual atoms, has emerged as a substantial obstacle. In particular, although weaker trapping fields would allow access to lower temperatures1,2, gravity empties atom traps that are too weak. Additionally, inertial sensors based on cold atoms could reach better sensitivities if the free-fall time of the atoms after release from the trap could be made longer3. Planetary orbit, specifically the condition of perpetual free-fall, offers to lift cold-atom studies beyond such terrestrial limitations. Here we report production of rubidium Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in an Earth-orbiting research laboratory, the Cold Atom Lab. We observe subnanokelvin BECs in weak trapping potentials with free-expansion times extending beyond one second, providing an initial demonstration of the advantages offered by a microgravity environment for cold-atom experiments and verifying the successful operation of this facility. With routine BEC production, continuing operations will support long-term investigations of trap topologies unique to microgravity4,5, atom-laser sources6, few-body physics7,8 and pathfinding techniques for atom-wave interferometry9-12.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Aveline
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
| | - Jason R Williams
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Ethan R Elliott
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Chelsea Dutenhoffer
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - James R Kellogg
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - James M Kohel
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Norman E Lay
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Kamal Oudrhiri
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Robert F Shotwell
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Nan Yu
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Robert J Thompson
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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20
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21
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Sabulsky DO, Junca J, Lefèvre G, Zou X, Bertoldi A, Battelier B, Prevedelli M, Stern G, Santoire J, Beaufils Q, Geiger R, Landragin A, Desruelle B, Bouyer P, Canuel B. A fibered laser system for the MIGA large scale atom interferometer. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3268. [PMID: 32094360 PMCID: PMC7040012 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59971-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the realization and characterization of a compact, autonomous fiber laser system that produces the optical frequencies required for laser cooling, trapping, manipulation, and detection of 87Rb atoms - a typical atomic species for emerging quantum technologies. This device, a customized laser system from the Muquans company, is designed for use in the challenging operating environment of the Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit (LSBB) in France, where a new large scale atom interferometer is being constructed underground - the MIGA antenna. The mobile bench comprises four frequency-agile C-band Telecom diode lasers that are frequency doubled to 780 nm after passing through high-power fiber amplifiers. The first laser is frequency stabilized on a saturated absorption signal via lock-in amplification, which serves as an optical frequency reference for the other three lasers via optical phase-locked loops. Power and polarization stability are maintained through a series of custom, flexible micro-optic splitter/combiners that contain polarization optics, acousto-optic modulators, and shutters. Here, we show how the laser system is designed, showcasing qualities such as reliability, stability, remote control, and flexibility, while maintaining the qualities of laboratory equipment. We characterize the laser system by measuring the power, polarization, and frequency stability. We conclude with a demonstration using a cold atom source from the MIGA project and show that this laser system fulfills all requirements for the realization of the antenna.
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Affiliation(s)
- D O Sabulsky
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, rue F. Mitterrand, F-33400, Talence, France
| | - J Junca
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, rue F. Mitterrand, F-33400, Talence, France
- MUQUANS, Institut d'Optique d'Aquitaine, rue F. Mitterrand, 33400, Talence, France
| | - G Lefèvre
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, rue F. Mitterrand, F-33400, Talence, France
| | - X Zou
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, rue F. Mitterrand, F-33400, Talence, France
| | - A Bertoldi
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, rue F. Mitterrand, F-33400, Talence, France
| | - B Battelier
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, rue F. Mitterrand, F-33400, Talence, France
| | - M Prevedelli
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Bologna, Via Berti-Pichat 6/2, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Stern
- MUQUANS, Institut d'Optique d'Aquitaine, rue F. Mitterrand, 33400, Talence, France
| | - J Santoire
- MUQUANS, Institut d'Optique d'Aquitaine, rue F. Mitterrand, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Q Beaufils
- LNE-SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 61 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014, Paris, France
| | - R Geiger
- LNE-SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 61 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014, Paris, France
| | - A Landragin
- LNE-SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 61 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014, Paris, France
| | - B Desruelle
- MUQUANS, Institut d'Optique d'Aquitaine, rue F. Mitterrand, 33400, Talence, France
| | - P Bouyer
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, rue F. Mitterrand, F-33400, Talence, France
| | - B Canuel
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, rue F. Mitterrand, F-33400, Talence, France.
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22
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Condon G, Rabault M, Barrett B, Chichet L, Arguel R, Eneriz-Imaz H, Naik D, Bertoldi A, Battelier B, Bouyer P, Landragin A. All-Optical Bose-Einstein Condensates in Microgravity. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2019; 123:240402. [PMID: 31922832 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.123.240402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We report on the all-optical production of Bose-Einstein condensates in microgravity using a combination of grey molasses cooling, light-shift engineering and optical trapping in a painted potential. Forced evaporative cooling in a 3-m high Einstein elevator results in 4×10^{4} condensed atoms every 13.5 s, with a temperature as low as 35 nK. In this system, the atomic cloud can expand in weightlessness for up to 400 ms, paving the way for atom interferometry experiments with extended interrogation times and studies of ultracold matter physics at low energies on ground or in Space.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Condon
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - M Rabault
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - B Barrett
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - L Chichet
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - R Arguel
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - H Eneriz-Imaz
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - D Naik
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - A Bertoldi
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - B Battelier
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - P Bouyer
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, Université Bordeaux-IOGS-CNRS:UMR 5298, 1 rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
| | - A Landragin
- LNE-SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 61 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France
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23
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Shell potentials for microgravity Bose-Einstein condensates. NPJ Microgravity 2019; 5:30. [PMID: 31815180 PMCID: PMC6892894 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-019-0087-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Extending the understanding of Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) physics to new geometries and topologies has a long and varied history in ultracold atomic physics. One such new geometry is that of a bubble, where a condensate would be confined to the surface of an ellipsoidal shell. Study of this geometry would give insight into new collective modes, self-interference effects, topology-dependent vortex behavior, dimensionality crossovers from thick to thin shells, and the properties of condensates pushed into the ultradilute limit. Here we propose to implement a realistic experimental framework for generating shell-geometry BEC using radiofrequency dressing of magnetically trapped samples. Such a tantalizing state of matter is inaccessible terrestrially due to the distorting effect of gravity on experimentally feasible shell potentials. The debut of an orbital BEC machine (NASA Cold Atom Laboratory, aboard the International Space Station) has enabled the operation of quantum-gas experiments in a regime of perpetual freefall, and thus has permitted the planning of microgravity shell-geometry BEC experiments. We discuss specific experimental configurations, applicable inhomogeneities and other experimental challenges, and outline potential experiments.
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24
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Xu V, Jaffe M, Panda CD, Kristensen SL, Clark LW, Müller H. Probing gravity by holding atoms for 20 seconds. Science 2019; 366:745-749. [PMID: 31699937 DOI: 10.1126/science.aay6428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Atom interferometers are powerful tools for both measurements in fundamental physics and inertial sensing applications. Their performance, however, has been limited by the available interrogation time of freely falling atoms in a gravitational field. By suspending the spatially separated atomic wave packets in a lattice formed by the mode of an optical cavity, we realize an interrogation time of 20 seconds. Our approach allows gravitational potentials to be measured by holding, rather than dropping, atoms. After seconds of hold time, gravitational potential energy differences from as little as micrometers of vertical separation generate megaradians of interferometer phase. This trapped geometry suppresses the phase variance due to vibrations by three to four orders of magnitude, overcoming the dominant noise source in atom-interferometric gravimeters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Xu
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Matt Jaffe
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Cristian D Panda
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sofus L Kristensen
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Logan W Clark
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Holger Müller
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Tononi A, Salasnich L. Bose-Einstein Condensation on the Surface of a Sphere. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2019; 123:160403. [PMID: 31702355 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.123.160403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Motivated by the recent achievement of space-based Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) with ultracold alkali-metal atoms under microgravity and by the proposal of bubble traps which confine atoms on a thin shell, we investigate the BEC thermodynamics on the surface of a sphere. We determine analytically the critical temperature and the condensate fraction of a noninteracting Bose gas. Then we consider the inclusion of a zero-range interatomic potential, extending the noninteracting results at zero and finite temperature. Both in the noninteracting and interacting cases the crucial role of the finite radius of the sphere is emphasized, showing that in the limit of infinite radius one recovers the familiar two-dimensional results. We also investigate the Berezinski-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition driven by vortical configurations on the surface of the sphere, analyzing the interplay of condensation and superfluidity in this finite-size system.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tononi
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "Galileo Galilei", Università di Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - L Salasnich
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "Galileo Galilei", Università di Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy and Istituto Nazionale di Ottica (INO) del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), via Nello Carrara 1, 50125 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Pahl J, Dinkelaker AN, Grzeschik C, Kluge J, Schiemangk M, Wicht A, Peters A, Krutzik M. Compact and robust diode laser system technology for dual-species ultracold atom experiments with rubidium and potassium in microgravity. APPLIED OPTICS 2019; 58:5456-5464. [PMID: 31504014 DOI: 10.1364/ao.58.005456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We present a compact and robust distributed-feedback diode laser system architecture for ultracold atom experiments with K41 and Rb87 in a mobile setup operating at the ZARM drop tower in Bremen. Our system withstands DC accelerations of up to 43 g in operation with only minor adjustments over several drop campaigns. Micro-integrated master-oscillator-power-amplifier modules in conjunction with miniaturized, free-space opto-mechanics are integrated on a platform with a volume of 43 L. With compact control and driver electronics, this laser system features output power and spectral characteristics suitable for 2D+ and 3D magneto-optical trapping operation, atomic state preparation, Bragg-diffraction-based atom interferometry, and detection.
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Space-borne Bose-Einstein condensation for precision interferometry. Nature 2018; 562:391-395. [PMID: 30333576 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0605-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Owing to the low-gravity conditions in space, space-borne laboratories enable experiments with extended free-fall times. Because Bose-Einstein condensates have an extremely low expansion energy, space-borne atom interferometers based on Bose-Einstein condensation have the potential to have much greater sensitivity to inertial forces than do similar ground-based interferometers. On 23 January 2017, as part of the sounding-rocket mission MAIUS-1, we created Bose-Einstein condensates in space and conducted 110 experiments central to matter-wave interferometry, including laser cooling and trapping of atoms in the presence of the large accelerations experienced during launch. Here we report on experiments conducted during the six minutes of in-space flight in which we studied the phase transition from a thermal ensemble to a Bose-Einstein condensate and the collective dynamics of the resulting condensate. Our results provide insights into conducting cold-atom experiments in space, such as precision interferometry, and pave the way to miniaturizing cold-atom and photon-based quantum information concepts for satellite-based implementation. In addition, space-borne Bose-Einstein condensation opens up the possibility of quantum gas experiments in low-gravity conditions1,2.
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