QuSeC-TAQS: Compact and Robust Quantum Atomic Sensors for Timekeeping and Inertial Sensing

QuSeC-TAQS：用于计时和惯性传感的紧凑且坚固的量子原子传感器

• 批准号: 2326784
• 负责人: Jennifer Choy
• 金额: $ 200万
• 依托单位: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-09-01 至 2027-08-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2326784&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: QuSeC; TAQS; Compact; Robust; Quantum

Cold atoms are the workhorses of precision measurements. They provide universal standards for time and frequency, and stable platforms for tests of fundamental physics such as the equivalence principle between gravitational and inertial mass. Despite the transformative potential for mobile devices based on cold atoms to revolutionize timing, or navigation without Global Positioning System (GPS), cold-atom clocks and interferometers have largely remained laboratory-scale devices. The limited use of cold-atom systems outside of laboratory environments is due to the size and complexity of most cold-atom instruments, as well as their sensitivity to physical conditions that are not being directly measured, such as ambient temperature variation, stray electromagnetic fields, and subtle deformation of the components. The aim of this project is to overcome implementation challenges with cold-atom sensors and demonstrate compact and mobile atomic clocks and accelerometers that maintain state-of-the-art performance in the field, outside of laboratory conditions.This project will develop two cold-atom quantum sensing platforms that share a common technology base and have complementary functionalities. A transportable cold-rubidium atom interferometer will provide differential acceleration measurements, and a portable cesium optical lattice clock will support timing in remote locations. These devices will be useful for applications in navigation, fundamental physics studies, and spatially resolved measurements of gravitational fields. To miniaturize and ruggedize these cold-atoms systems, the project will develop and integrate a set of photonic chip-scale hardware and algorithms, comprising a “quantum sensor toolkit”, that include lasers and optics, optimized quantum algorithms for sensor fusion and calibration, and optimal leveraging of entanglement. These approaches will broaden the utility of cold-atom sensors in real-world scenarios and enable scientific investigations outside of the lab, for example, gravity surveys on challenging terrains and precision measurements at the poles or in space.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

冷原子是精密测量的主力。它们为时间和频率提供了通用标准，并为基础物理测试提供了稳定的平台，例如引力和惯性质量之间的等价性原理。尽管基于冷原子的移动设备具有革命性的潜力，可以在没有全球定位系统(GPS)的情况下改变计时或导航，但冷原子时钟和干涉仪在很大程度上仍然是实验室规模的设备。冷原子系统在实验室环境之外的有限使用是由于大多数冷原子仪器的尺寸和复杂性，以及它们对无法直接测量的物理条件的敏感性，例如环境温度变化、杂散电磁场和部件的细微变形。该项目的目的是克服冷原子传感器的实施挑战，展示紧凑和移动的原子钟和加速计，在实验室条件外保持现场最先进的性能。该项目将开发两个冷原子量子传感平台，共享共同的技术基础，具有互补的功能。一个可移动的冷原子干涉仪将提供差动加速度测量，一个便携式铯光学格子时钟将支持远程位置的计时。这些设备将用于导航、基础物理研究和引力场的空间分辨测量。为了使这些冷原子系统小型化和坚固化，该项目将开发和集成一套光子芯片级的硬件和算法，包括一个包括激光和光学的“量子传感器工具包”，用于传感器融合和校准的优化量子算法，以及最优的纠缠利用。这些方法将扩大冷原子传感器在现实世界中的用途，并使实验室外的科学调查成为可能，例如，在具有挑战性的地形上进行重力测量，以及在极地或太空进行精确测量。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。