Compact gravimeter with an ensemble of ultracold atoms in spin-dependent optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper proposes a compact quantum gravimeter using ultracold atoms in spin-dependent optical lattices, enabling precise gravity measurements with a portable setup through coherent atomic manipulation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scheme for a portable quantum gravimeter utilizing spin-dependent optical lattices and provides an analytical method for sensitivity analysis in multi-path interferometry.

Findings

Demonstrates a coherent atomic splitting and recombination process in optical lattices.

Develops an analytical approach for sensitivity estimation in multi-path interferometry.

Proposes a practical design for a compact, portable quantum gravimeter.

Abstract

Atomic interferometry in optical lattices is a new trend of developing practical quantum gravimeter. Here, we propose a compact and portable gravimetry scheme with an ensemble of ultracold atoms in gravitationally tilted spin-dependent optical lattices. The fast, coherent separation and recombination of atoms can be realized via polarization-synthesized optical lattices. The input atomic wavepacket is coherently split into two parts by a spin-dependent shift and a subsequent $\frac{\pi}{2}$ pulse. Then the two parts are held for accumulating a relative phase related to the gravity. Lastly the two parts are recombined for interference by a $\frac{\pi}{2}$ pulse and a subsequent spin-dependent shift. The $\frac{\pi}{2}$ pulses not only preclude the spin-dependent energies in the accumulated phase, but also avoid the error sources such as dislocation of optical lattices in the holding process. In addition, we develop an analytical method for the sensitivity in multi-path interferometry.