Progress towards atom interferometric measurements of gravity in a compact and integrated vacuum chamber

Abstract

Atom interferometry based gravity gradiometers are capable of operating with unparalleled sensitivity when compared to their classical counterparts. This makes them ideal candidates for field applications. The Phase Locked Atomic Interferometers for Gravity Gradiometry (PLAIN-GG) project aims to use two absolute gravimeters connected with a stabilised optical fibre link to achieve a lightweight gradiometer with a flexible baseline. This allows for a portable system without the sacrifice of sensitivity. In this thesis we present the development of an atom interferometer for measurements of gravity using a novel, compact, and integrated vacuum chamber. We aim to use this chamber as the centre of the PLAIN-GG sensor head. Using absorption imaging, we characterise the atom number and temperature of the cold atom cloud as experimental variables are changed. When optimised, we measure the number of trapped atoms to be ≈ 1.5×106 and their temperature to be ≈ 7 µK. To demonstrate the viability of this chamber for use in inertial atom interferometry measurements, we find the atom ensemble to be detectable after a 120 ms free fall. We also briefly detail the preliminary work of the PLAIN-GG stabilised fibre link.

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ORCID for Timothy Freegarde: orcid.org/0000-0002-0680-1330

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