Hannover 2016 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 5: Precision Measurements and Metrology II (with Q)

A 5.4: Talk

Monday, February 29, 2016, 15:15–15:30, a310

Quantum Test of the Universality of Free Fall with a Dual Species Atom Interferometer — •Logan Richardson, Henning Albers, Dipankar Nath, Dennis Schlippert, Christian Schubert, Wolfgang Ertmer, and Ernst Rasel — Institut für Quantenoptik and
Centre for Quantum Engineering and Space-Time Research - QUEST, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover, Germany

To understand gravity’s role within the standard model, we can test for violations of the universality of free fall with dual-species atom interferometers [1]. To constrain possible violations we require accurate local gravitational acceleration measurements of both test masses. Vibrations can however corrupt these measurements by inducing phase shifts, masking any possible violation signal and fundamentally limiting the sensitivity of the experiment. Correlation of atomic interferometers with a classical sensor can provide a phase shift correction for vibrationally induced noise[2]. We discuss the experimental results of the application of this method into our dual species ⁸⁷Rb – ³⁹K interferometer, as well as the strategy for the upcoming large scale ⁸⁷Rb – ¹⁷⁰Yb interferometer[3]

[1] D. Schlippert et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 203002 (2014)

[2] B. Barrett et al., New Journal of Physics, 17, 085010 (2015)

[3] J. Hartwig et al., New J. Phys. 17, 035011 (2015)