Akash Rakholia

High data-rate atom interferometer for measuring acceleration

We demonstrate a high data-rate light-pulse atom interferometer for measuring acceleration. The device is optimized to operate at rates between 50 Hz to 330 Hz with sensitivities of 0.57μg/Hz to 36.7μg/Hz, respectively. Our method offers a dramatic increase in data rate and demonstrates a path to applications in highly dynamic environments. The performance of the device can largely be attributed to the high recapture efficiency of atoms from one interferometer measurement cycle to another.

Dual-axis high-data-rate atom interferometer via cold ensemble exchange

We demonstrate a dual-axis accelerometer and gyroscope atom interferometer, which forms the building blocks of a six-axis inertial measurement unit. By recapturing the atoms after the interferometer sequence, we maintain a large atom number at high data-rates of 50 to 100 measurements per second. Two cold ensembles are formed in trap zones located a few centimeters apart, and are launched toward one-another. During their ballistic trajectory, they are interrogated with a stimulated Raman sequence, detected, and recaptured in the opposing trap zone. We achieve sensitivities at

Quantum Enhanced Technologies

\mathrm{\mu \mathit{g} / \sqrt{Hz}}

Light-pulse atom interferometric device

and

High data-rate atom interferometers through high recapture efficiency

\mathrm{\mu rad / s / \sqrt{Hz}}

High data rate atom interferometric device

levels, making this a compelling prospect for expanding the use of atom interferometer inertial sensors beyond benign laboratory environments.

High Data-Rate Atom Interferometry for Dynamic Acceleration and Rotation.

Quantum effects have a wide variety of applications in computation, communication, and metrology. To explore practical quantum enhanced technologies, we are investigating quantum metrology in neutral atom systems, such as inertial sensors and clocks, which could revolutionize the field of precision navigation. The lower noise boundary on measurements of a two-level quantum system is given by the standard quantum limit (SQL). This limits the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to SNR = √ where N is the number of atoms. Using Quantum Non-Demolition techniques (QND), it has been demonstrated that one can surpass the SQL, with the ultimate limit given by the Heisenberg Limit of SNR = N. For many implementations, this limit corresponds to an improvement by several orders of magnitude. However, achieving even the SQL is difficult in practical systems. To realize the gains of quantum enhanced metrology one must first realize high fidelity measurements of quantum systems. This fidelity is often limited by sources of technical noise in the system which must be characterized and mitigated. In this report we attempt to experimentally reach the SQL in a system of laser-cooled Rubidium 87 atoms. Atomic transitions were induced through microwave radiation and the stimulated Raman interaction. We characterize the various sources of noise that hinder the achievement of the SQL and compare our measurements to theoretical models that take these impediments into consideration. Additionally, we survey the literature for spin-squeezing techniques which allow for Heisenberg-limited measurements in similar cold-atom systems. Our investigation confirmed the difficulty of achieving even moderate amounts of squeezing for a metrologically relevant quantity. However, spin squeezing could prove to be an important technique for atom interferometry if substantial improvements in implementation are made. This work is done in collaboration with the University of New Mexico.