Atom interferometry and the Earth sciences

Jeremiah Mitchell

doi:10.1117/12.3012697

13 March 2024 Atom interferometry and the Earth sciences

Jeremiah Mitchell

Proceedings Volume PC12912, Quantum Sensing, Imaging, and Precision Metrology II; PC129121C (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3012697
Event: SPIE Quantum West, 2024, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Atom interferometry is a quantum sensor technology that uses ultra-cold atoms placed in entangled quantum states to detect minute changes in local fields arising from gravitational waves and ultra-light dark matter. Their extreme sensitivity to accelerations has been demonstrated for measurements of Newton’s gravitation constant, tests of the Equivalence Principle, and measurement of local gravity gradients. The search for ultra-light dark matter and measurements of gravitational waves requires interferometer baselines greater than approximately 100 m. In understanding the fundamental systematics and backgrounds of these detectors, we have discovered that atmospheric and seismic effects, even though physically decoupled from the atoms which are in vacuum and free-fall, are still detectable by the quantum phase of the atoms. From a different perspective these “noise” sources are also interesting signals that we may be able to understand better with these sensor platforms leading to cross-disciplinary studies in Earth sciences.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Jeremiah Mitchell "Atom interferometry and the Earth sciences", Proc. SPIE PC12912, Quantum Sensing, Imaging, and Precision Metrology II, PC129121C (13 March 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3012697

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