Precision Measurements with a Condensate Interferometer

使用冷凝干涉仪进行精密测量

• 批准号: 0969916
• 负责人: Charles Sackett
• 金额: $ 36.5万
• 依托单位: University of Virginia Main Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-01 至 2014-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0969916&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Precision; Measurements; Condensate; Interferometer

A set of experiments will be performed that use atomic interference for precision measurements. In atom interferometry, the quantum mechanical wave that describes an atom is split into two components that are separated in space. When the two components are later recombined, the result encodes information about the atom's environment. The project will investigate using interference to improve measurements of acceleration, rotation, and gravity, with the goal of improving sensor technology for inertial navigation and underground detection. The project will also explore the use of interferometry to detect and count single photons, which could be useful for implementing or attacking various types of quantum communication schemes.This work will have broad impact in a variety of areas. Two graduate students will be supported and the experiments performed will likely form the basis of their PhD dissertations. These students will receive training in advanced scientific techniques and will be well-prepared for a productive career in research. The project could also have significant technological and social relevance due to the growing importance of inertial sensing and quantum communication in commercial and national security applications.

将进行一系列利用原子干涉进行精密测量的实验。在原子干涉测量中，描述原子的量子力学波被分裂成两个在空间上分离的分量。当这两个组件稍后重新组合时，结果将编码有关原子环境的信息。该项目将研究利用干扰来改进加速度、旋转和重力的测量，目标是改进惯性导航和地下探测的传感器技术。该项目还将探索使用干涉测量法来检测和计数单个光子，这可能对实现或攻击各种类型的量子通信方案很有用。这项工作将在各个领域产生广泛的影响。两名研究生将得到资助，所做的实验可能会成为他们博士论文的基础。这些学生将接受先进科学技术方面的培训，并为从事富有成效的研究工作做好充分准备。由于惯性传感和量子通信在商业和国家安全应用中的重要性日益增加，该项目也可能具有重大的技术和社会意义。