Hannover 2010 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 21: Poster I

Q 21.40: Poster

Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 16:00–19:00, Lichthof

High precision cold atom gyroscope — •Timo Denker, Sven Abend, Peter Berg, Michael Gilowski, Christian Schubert, Gunnar Tackmann, Wolfgang Ertmer, and Ernst Rasel — Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover

Over the years, matter wave interferometry has become a powerful tool for high precision inertial measurements. The research goal of the CASI project (Cold Atom Sagnac Interferometer) is to realize a gyroscope with a sensitivity of a few 10⁻⁹ rad/s/Hz^1/2 for 10⁸ atoms per shot, using laser cooled Rubidium. The atomic ensemble is launched in a pulsed mode onto a flat parabola with a forward drift velocity of 2,79 m/s leading to an interrogation time of over 50 ms. Via coherent beamsplitting using Raman transitions, the atomic trajectories forming the interferometer paths can enclose an area of several mm². Vibrations, acoustics, as well as intensity fluctuations, the electronic feedback, and wave front distortions, contribute to the phase noise budget of the interferometer. In addition, the detection system also affects the integrity of the signal. Since the various interferometer noise sources limit the achievable sensitivity, their impact on the performance of the interferometer has to be considered. In this poster, the improvements of the individual parts of the interferometer and the resulting enhancement of the sensitivity will be presented. This work is supported by the DFG, QUEST, and IQS.