Atom interferometric gravitational wave detection using heterodyne laser links

TL;DR

This paper proposes a heterodyne laser link scheme for atom interferometric gravitational wave detection, enabling longer baselines and improved sensitivity by using local oscillators phase-locked to the reference laser.

Contribution

It introduces a novel heterodyne laser link approach that overcomes previous baseline constraints in atom interferometry for gravitational wave detection.

Findings

Enables longer baselines for atom interferometry

Enhances sensitivity and simplifies atom optics

Reduces atomic source flux requirements

Abstract

We propose a scheme based on a heterodyne laser link that allows for long baseline gravitational wave detection using atom interferometry. While the baseline length in previous atom-based proposals is constrained by the need for a reference laser to remain collimated as it propagates between two satellites, here we circumvent this requirement by employing a strong local oscillator laser near each atom ensemble that is phase locked to the reference laser beam. Longer baselines offer a number of potential advantages, including enhanced sensitivity, simplified atom optics, and reduced atomic source flux requirements.