APS Logo

Cold atom experiments aboard the International Space Station

ORAL

Abstract

Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) are expected to be systems for quantum sensing applications like navigation, relativistic geodesy and tests of the universality of free fall. The sensitivity of most such atom interferometers increases quadratically with the interrogation time, which makes it beneficial to extend the free fall time. To accomplish this goal NASA has launched the Cold Atom Lab (CAL) [1] to the International Space Station.

Here we report on recent experiments performed on CAL. We have realized fast and reliable quantum gas transport protocols, matter wave lensing to picokelvin temperature [2], several interferometer geometries, as well as mixture experiments. Furthermore, we discuss current limitations as well as prospective future experiments on CAL. These results pave the way towards future precision measurements with BECs in space.

–

Publication: [1] Aveline, D. C. et al. Observation of Bose–Einstein condensates in an Earth-orbiting research lab. Nature 582, 193–197 (2020).<br>[2] Gaaloul, N. et al. A space-based quantum gas laboratory at picokelvin energy scales. Nature Communications 13, 7889 (2022)

Presenters

  • Patrick B Boegel

    Ulm University, Institut für Quantenphysik, Institut für Quantenphysik, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany

Authors

  • Patrick B Boegel

    Ulm University, Institut für Quantenphysik, Institut für Quantenphysik, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany

  • Gabriel Müller

    Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany

  • Matthias Meister

    German Aerospace Center, (DLR), Institute of Quantum Technologies, Ulm, Germany, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Quantum Technologies, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Quantum Technologies, Ulm, Germany

  • Naceur Gaaloul

    Leibniz University Hanover, Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany

  • Nicholas P Bigelow

    University of Rochester, The Institute of Optics and Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA