QUANTUS-2 - A mobile high-flux BEC source in microgravity
Abstract
Matter-wave interferometry allows to realize highly sensitive quantum sensors for applications in inertial sensing as well as for tests of fundamental physics. The sensitivity of such measurements thereby greatly benefits from extended free fall times on the order of several seconds. Thus, the operating of matter-wave interferometers in microgravity, ideally in space is currently pursued by research groups worldwide. To implement such complex experiments on a space-based platform, a validation of the stringent requirements concerning compactness and robustness is needed. Thus, the mobile high-flux BEC source QUANTUS-2 [1] was developed as a pathfinder experiment to perform measurements in microgravity at the ZARM drop tower in Bremen, Germany. The payload is integrated into a catapult capsule and can be launched in a parabolic flight inside a 110m high vacuum tube, providing 9.3s microgravity time. Here we report on the preparation of a Rubidium-87 BEC to provide an ideal input source for a matter-wave interferometer, where ultra-low residual expansion rates are crucial to reach long interferometer times. We use magnetic lensing (delta-kick collimation) to narrow the momentum distribution of the atomic ensemble and demonstrate expansion rates of 100μm/s, which corresponds to a three-dimensional effective temperature below 100pK. This enables the observation of the ensemble after 2s of free evolution time with a high signal to noise ratio. With this results we are able to provide an ideal input state for a highly sensitive matter-wave interferometer and verify the technical readiness for future space missions.Acknowledgements: The QUANTUS project is supported by the German Space Agency DLR with funds provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) under grant number 50WM1555.References:[1] Rudolph et al., New J. Phys. 17, 065001 (2015)
- Publication:
-
42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018cosp...42E.698C