Comparing thermal and lasing atomic sources for precision inertial measurement

J. E. Debs*, P. A. Altin, T. H. Barter, D. Döring, G. R. Dennis, G. McDonald, N. P. Robins, J. D. Close, R. P. Anderson

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    We compare the sensitivity of an interferometric measurement of gravity using a freely-falling, lasing atomic source to that achieved with a cold, thermal atomic source. We observe a higher fringe visibility with the lasing source, also the highest yet observed in such a configuration. We improve sensitivity by exploiting large momentum transfer beamsplitting (LMT), and discuss briefly the advantages of using a lasing atomic source for LMT. Most importantly, we measure no degradation of the sensitivity of our interferometer due to interaction induced dephasing at our limit of precision. Using a simple model, we verify this observation and project to beyond state-of-the-art sensitivities, concluding that with reasonable experimental parameters, interaction induced dephasing will not limit the sensitivity of inertial measurements using freely-falling, lasing atomic sources.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication2011 Int. Quantum Electr. Conf., IQEC 2011 Conf Lasers Electro-Optics, CLEO Pacific Rim 2011 Incorporating Australasian Conf. on Optics, Lasers Spectrosc. Australian Conf. Optical Fibre Technol.- Conf
    Pages2082-2084
    Number of pages3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011
    Event2011 International Quantum Electronics Conference, IQEC 2011 and Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO Pacific Rim 2011 - Sydney, NSW, Australia
    Duration: 28 Aug 20111 Sept 2011

    Publication series

    Name2011 Int. Quantum Electron. Conf., IQEC 2011 and Conf. Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO Pacific Rim 2011 Incorporating the Australasian Conf. Optics, Lasers and Spectroscopy and the Australian Conf.

    Conference

    Conference2011 International Quantum Electronics Conference, IQEC 2011 and Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO Pacific Rim 2011
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    CitySydney, NSW
    Period28/08/111/09/11

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