A Next-Generation Absolute Quantum Gyroscope using Ultra-Cold Atoms

使用超冷原子的下一代绝对量子陀螺仪

• 批准号: RGPIN-2021-02629
• 负责人: Barrett, Brynle
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: University of New Brunswick
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=762406
• 关键词: Next; Generation; Absolute; Quantum; Gyroscope

Positioning, guidance, and navigation heavily rely on state-of-the-art accelerometers and gyroscopes. The accuracy of autonomous inertial navigation systems is limited by the bias stability of optical gyroscopes. These devices measure rotation rates via the Sagnac interference between light beams traveling in opposite directions in a rotating loop, and are essential to several markets including the defense, aviation, and space industries. Atomic gyroscopes that utilize matter-wave interference offer a promising alternative. Due to their massive internal energy, an atom's sensitivity to rotations is 1011 times greater than that of a visible photon. Yet, the challenge of realizing a high-precision absolute quantum gyroscope has not yet been achieved. My research program will develop a next-generation absolute quantum gyroscope capable of measuring rotation rates below 10-10 rad/s. The short-term objectives of this program, which form the building blocks of a novel quantum technology, are as follows: 1. Multidimensional atom optics: new techniques to simultaneously diffract atoms along multiple spatial dimensions will be implemented-enabling the construction of 2D and 3D matter-wave interferometers with multi-axis inertial sensitivity. 2. Multi-loop interferometry: multi-loop interferometer geometries with large enclosed areas will be used to enhance the performance. 3. Absolute scale factor: a rotation signal with a scale factor accuracy of 1 part in 109 will be demonstrated. 4. Compact sensor head: utilizing large-momentum transfer optical pulses, along with an "optical trampoline" in which atoms coherently bounce in a small region, my group will enhance the sensitivity of the atomic gyroscope in a compact volume-laying the groundwork for future commercialization. 5. Suppression of systematic effects: sources of bias related to the atoms initial velocity and acceleration will be suppressed by several orders of magnitude. Achieving these objectives will require the construction of a state-of-the-art instrument capable of producing ultra-cold atoms that are coherently manipulated in a large-area matter-wave interferometer. This work will kick-start a new laboratory for quantum sensing and ultra-cold matter physics at the University of New Brunswick-creating unique opportunities for research and training of highly-qualified personnel. The radical long-term objective of this research program is to develop high-performance miniature quantum sensors that can be integrated with commercial navigation systems-leading to long-term satellite-free positioning. This program directly contributes to NSERC's strategic objective to foster early-stage research with a high potential for commercialization, and to establish a leading role for Canada in the development of quantum technology. Its success will strongly impact the multi-billion-dollar industry of positioning and navigation, as well as applications in geophysics, rotational seismology, and space science.

定位、制导和导航在很大程度上依赖于最先进的加速度计和陀螺仪，自主惯性导航系统的精度受到光学陀螺仪偏置稳定性的限制，这些设备通过传播的光束之间的萨格纳克干涉来测量旋转速率。利用物质波干涉的原子陀螺仪因其巨大的内部能量而提供了一种有前景的替代方案。原子对旋转的敏感度是可见光子的1011倍，然而，实现高精度绝对量子陀螺仪的挑战尚未实现，我的研究计划将开发能够测量旋转的下一代绝对量子陀螺仪。速率低于 10-10 rad/s。该计划的短期目标构成了新型量子技术的基础，具体如下： 1. 多维原子光学：同时衍射的新技术。沿多个空间维度的原子将被实现，从而能够构建具有多轴惯性灵敏度的2D和3D物质波干涉仪。 2.多环干涉仪：将使用具有大封闭区域的多环干涉仪几何形状来提高性能。 3. 绝对比例因子：将演示比例因子精度为 109 分之一的旋转信号。 4. 紧凑型传感器头：利用大动量传输光学。脉冲，以及原子在小区域内相干反弹的“光学蹦床”，我的小组将在紧凑的体积中提高原子陀螺仪的灵敏度，为未来的商业化奠定基础。 5. 抑制系统效应：来源。与原子初始速度和加速度相关的偏差将被抑制几个数量级。实现这些目标需要建造能够产生相干超冷原子的最先进的仪器。这项工作将在新不伦瑞克大学启动一个新的量子传感和超冷物质物理实验室，为高素质激进人员的研究和培训创造独特的机会。该研究计划的长期目标是开发可与商业导航系统集成的高性能微型量子传感器，从而实现长期无卫星定位。该计划直接有助于实现 NSERC 促进早期研究的战略目标。与一个其商业化潜力巨大，并为加拿大在量子技术的发展中发挥主导作用，将强烈影响价值数十亿美元的定位和导航产业，以及地球物理学、旋转地震学和空间科学的应用。 。