Space-time sensors using multiple-wave atom levitation

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method for atomic clocks and gravimeters using levitated Bose-Einstein condensates with multiple-wave interferences, enabling simultaneous trapping and measurement with enhanced sensitivity.

Contribution

It introduces a new levitation technique for Bose-Einstein condensates utilizing multiple-wave atomic interferences, combining trapping and measurement in a single laser field.

Findings

Enables simultaneous atomic trapping and measurement.

Improves measurement sensitivity through multiple-wave interferences.

Provides an alternative setup to traditional atomic clocks and gravimeters.

Abstract

The best clocks to date control the atomic motion by trapping the sample in an optical lattice and then interrogate the atomic transition by shining on these atoms a distinct laser of controlled frequency. In order to perform both tasks simultaneously and with the same laser field, we propose to use instead the levitation of a Bose-Einstein condensate through multiple-wave atomic interferences. The levitating condensate experiences a coherent localization in momentum and a controlled diffusion in altitude. The sample levitation is bound to resonance conditions used either for frequency or for acceleration measurements. The chosen vertical geometry solves the limitations imposed by the sample free fall in previous optical clocks using also atomic interferences. This configuration yields multiple-wave interferences enabling levitation and enhancing the measurement sensitivity. This setup, analogous to an atomic resonator in momentum space, constitutes an attractive alternative to existing atomic clocks and gravimeters.