Mainz 2017 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 28: Precision Measurements and Metrology: Interferometry II
Q 28.9: Vortrag
Dienstag, 7. März 2017, 16:30–16:45, P 104
The First Sounding Rocket Flight with an Atom Interferometer — •Stephan T. Seidel1, Maike D. Lachmann1, Dennis Becker1, Wolfgang Ertmer1, Ernst M. Rasel1, and QUANTUS Collaboration2 — 1Institut für Quantenoptik, Universität Hannover — 2LU Hannover, U Bremen, JGU Mainz, U Hamburg, HU Berlin, FBH, TU Darmstadt, U Ulm
The possibility of precise measurements of inertial forces using atom interferometry has led to a multitude of proposals for future satellite missions. These include missions aimed at geodetic measurements like a characterization of earth’s gravitational field gradient and fundamental physics like a test of the universality of free fall.
Current ground based experiments are not suitable for the use on a satellite mission and a series of new technological and experimental techniques are required. This creates the necessity for pathfinder missions to test atom interferometer setups in relevant environments. To bridge this gap three sounding rocket missions are currently being prepared. The launch of the first mission is aimed at both the first creation of Bose-Einstein Condensates (BEC) and first demonstration of light atom interferometry in space.
Its payload can create BECs of 105 atoms from 87Rb within two seconds. Therefore 70 experiments can be performed within the microgravity time including an observation of the phase transition and the characterization of the BECs after long free evolution times using atom interferometry. The system was qualified for the flight in a series of vibration tests and is currently in wait for favorable wind conditions.