Dual Matter-Wave Inertial Sensors in Weightlessness

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first onboard operation of dual matter-wave interferometers in weightlessness, achieving precise measurements in a parabolic flight environment, paving the way for space-based inertial sensing and fundamental physics tests.

Contribution

It reports the first successful operation of dual-quantum matter-wave sensors in weightless conditions during parabolic flight, addressing environmental challenges and measuring the equivalence principle.

Findings

Measured the Eötvös parameter with high precision in microgravity.

Demonstrated dual-quantum sensor operation in a dynamic, vibration-rich environment.

Validated quantum sensors for future space inertial navigation and fundamental physics experiments.

Abstract

Quantum technology based on cold-atom interferometers is showing great promise for fields such as inertial sensing and fundamental physics. However, the best precision achievable on Earth is limited by the free-fall time of the atoms, and their full potential can only be realized in Space where interrogation times of many seconds will lead to unprecedented sensitivity. Various mission scenarios are presently being pursued which plan to implement matter-wave inertial sensors. Toward this goal, we realize the first onboard operation of simultaneous $^{87}$Rb $-$ $^{39}$K interferometers in the weightless environment produced during parabolic flight. The large vibration levels ($10^{-2}~g/\sqrt{\rm Hz}$), acceleration range ($0-1.8~g$) and rotation rates ($5$ deg/s) during flight present significant challenges. We demonstrate the capability of our dual-quantum sensor by measuring the E\"{o}tv\"{o}s parameter with systematic-limited uncertainties of $1.1 \times 10^{-3}$ and $3.0 \times 10^{-4}$ during standard- and micro-gravity, respectively. This constitutes the first test of the equivalence principle in a free-falling vehicle with quantum sensors. Our results are applicable to inertial navigation, and can be extended to the trajectory of a satellite for future Space missions.