Ultracold atom interferometry in space

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of Bose-Einstein condensates in free fall on a sounding rocket to perform matter-wave interferometry in space, revealing spatial coherence and enabling differential force measurements with potential applications in physics and Earth observation.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental realization of space-borne matter-wave interferometry using BECs, leveraging microgravity to observe interference patterns and measure forces.

Findings

Observation of matter-wave fringes in space

Demonstration of spatial coherence of BECs in microgravity

Potential for precise force measurements in space

Abstract

Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in free fall constitute a promising source for space-borne matter-wave interferometry. Indeed, BECs enjoy a slowly expanding wave function, display a large spatial coherence and can be engineered and probed by optical techniques. On a sounding rocket, we explore matter-wave fringes of multiple spinor components of a BEC released in free fall employing light-pulses to drive Bragg processes and induce phase imprinting. The prevailing microgravity played a crucial role in the observation of these interferences which not only reveal the spatial coherence of the condensates but also allow us to measure differential forces. Our work establishes matter-wave interferometry in space with future applications in fundamental physics, navigation and Earth observation.