利用原子干涉法高精度检验弱等效原理

In recent years, the precision of the weak equivalence principle test based on atom interferometry is 3-4 orders of magnitude higher than that of the neutron-based test. Among them, the precision of Rb-85 and Rb-87 dual atom interferometer based weak equivalence principle test achieves 10^[-8] level, and the test precision with different spin-orientated Rb-87 (mF=±1) atoms achieves 10^[-7] level, both works were finished by members of this project team, and they are at leading level in the world. How to further improve the precision of micro-particle based weak equivalent test, is an important problem in atom interferometer based precision measurement physics. The weak equivalence principle tests using different type atom interferometers need to solve a common problem, which is the preparation of ultra-cold atomic source. Fortunately, our recent work on preparation of Twin-Fock Bose-Einstein condensate provides a new technical approach for the preparation of ultra-cold mixed Rb atom gases. This project will integrate the research advantages of Rb-85 and Rb-87 dual atom interferometer, different spin-oriented Rb-87 (mF=±1) atom interferometer, and preparation of ultra-cold mixed Rb atom gases, and to carry out a more accurate weak equivalence principle test using cold atom interferometers, so that to make the micro-particle based WEP test in China keeping the leading level around the world.

近年来，原子干涉法检验弱等效原理(WEP)的精度比早期中子检验实验的精度提高了3-4个量级，其中，本项目组成员完成的Rb-85和Rb-87双组份原子干涉仪WEP的检验精度达到10^[-8]水平、不同自旋取向Rb-87(mF=±1)原子干涉仪WEP的检验精度达到10^[-7]水平，均处于国际领先。如何进一步提高微观粒子检验WEP的精度，是原子干涉仪精密测量物理面临的重要科题。基于不同类型原子干涉仪的WEP检验都需要解决超冷原子源制备的共性问题，项目组成员近期制备双数态原子玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体的工作为制备超冷Rb原子混合气体提供新了的技术途径。本项目拟集成Rb-85、Rb-87双组份原子干涉仪、不同自旋取向Rb-87(mF=±1)原子干涉仪以及超冷Rb原子混合气体制备方面的研究优势，开展更高精度的WEP实验检验，使我国的微观粒子WEP检验研究继续保持国际领先水平。