Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Atom interferometery is an exquisite measurement technique sensitive to inertial forces. However, it is commonly limited to a single sensitive axis, allowing high-precision multidimensional sensing only through subsequent or postcorrected measurements. We report on a novel method for multi-axis inertial sensing based on the correlation of simultaneous light-pulse atom interferometers in 2D array arrangements of Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC). Deploying a scalable 3×3 BEC array spanning 1.6 mm^{2} created using time-averaged optical potentials, we perform measurements of linear acceleration induced by gravity and simultaneously demonstrate sensitivity to angular velocity and acceleration of a rotating reference mirror, as well as gravity gradients and higher-order derivatives. Our Letter enables simple, high-precision multi-axis inertial sensing compatible with high rotation rates, e.g., for inertial navigation in dynamic environments. We finally envision further applications of our method, e.g., 3D in situ measurements and reconstruction of laser beam intensities and wave fronts.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Institution: Leibniz University Hannover
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,750
Awards: Squeezingverstärkte Inertialsensorik, G2814630827, SFB 1464: Relativistische und quantenbasierte Geodäsie (TerraQ), G40493870, G4201645080, G4285572622, EXC 2123: QuantumFrontiers Licht und Materie an der Quantengrenze, G564235600, SFB 1227: Designte Quantenzustände der Materie (DQmat) Herstellung, Manipulation und Detektion für metrologische Anwendungen und Tests fundamentaler Physik, G745383156, G7664755745, G8754122501
OpenAlex ID: W4409291906