Multi-axis Accelerometry and Rotation Sensing using a Point Source Atom Interferometer

TL;DR

This paper introduces a modified point source atom interferometer capable of simultaneously measuring multi-axis rotation and acceleration, advancing inertial sensing technology with a compact setup.

Contribution

It presents a novel PSI design that measures multi-axis rotation and acceleration using a single pair of Raman beams, enabling comprehensive inertial measurements.

Findings

Able to measure two-axis rotation around axes perpendicular to light pulses

Capable of measuring acceleration in all three spatial directions

Potential to develop a complete atom interferometric inertial measurement unit

Abstract

A point source atom interferometer (PSI) is a device where atoms are split and recombined by applying a temporal sequence of Raman pulses during the expansion of a cloud of cold atoms behaving approximately as a point source. Unlike a conventional light pulse atom interferometer, the PSI can produce a signal that corresponds to multi-axis rotation only, independent of acceleration. In addition, it can be used to measure acceleration along one direction, independent of rotation. Here, we describe a modified PSI that can be used to measure multi-axis rotation and multi-axis acceleration. Specifically, this type of PSI can be used to measure two-axes rotation around the directions perpendicular to the light pulses, as well as the acceleration in all three directions, with only one pair of Raman beams. Using two pairs of Raman beams in orthogonal directions sequentially, such a scheme would enable the realization of a complete atom interferometric inertial measurement unit.