Mainz 2017 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 53: Poster: Quantum Optics and Photonics III
Q 53.39: Poster
Thursday, March 9, 2017, 17:00–19:00, P OG2
First Bose-Einstein Condensate in Space — •Maike D. Lachmann1, Dennis Becker1, Stephan T. Seidel1, Ernst M. Rasel1, Wolfgang Ertmer1, and Collaboration QUANTUS2 — 1Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover — 2LUH, JGU, UHH, FBH, HUB, ZARM, UULM, TUDA, DLR
Atom interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) in space is a promising approach towards a precise test of the equivalence principle. As a first step atom interferometers utilizing sounding rockets are currently being built within the QUANTUS collaboration. With the first rocket mission MAIUS-1 we plan to create BECs and to demonstrate light-pulse atom interferometry in space for the first time.
The presented apparatus uses Rubidium-87 atoms and can create BECs of 105 atoms within two seconds. Thanks to this high repetition rate we can perform more than 70 experiments during the six minutes of microgravity. They will adress different aspects of atom interferometry ranging from state preparation, observation of the phase transition to Stern-Gerlach type experiments and analysis of the coherence of a BEC after long free evolution times using magnetic lensing and atom interferometers.
Due to the high constraints of the rocket the payload is optimized in respect to volume, mass and low power consumption. The apparatus was qualified for the flight using vibrational tests and the launch is scheduled for the end of 2016.
On the poster the setup and the results of the MAIUS-1 flight will be presented.