ExpandQISE: Track 1: Scalable Quantum Gravimeters with Large-Momentum-Transfer Atom Interferometry

非技术摘要：近年来，量子力学在计算、通信和传感方面取得了突破。基于自由落体波状冷原子和物质波干涉测量的重力仪显示出竞争的短期灵敏度和前所未有的长期稳定性。测量绝对重力值或重力梯度的便携式量子重力仪最近被用于实验室外的调查。然而，同时对重力场及其高阶导数具有灵敏度的紧凑型和多功能量子重力仪尚未得到证实。引力势的三阶导数，即所谓的曲率，代表了重力梯度的变化率，对局部质量密度的变化很敏感。测量重力曲率将为在采矿勘探和探测近地表浅层密度构造中提供水平分辨率打开大门。在这个项目中，来自罗格斯-纽瓦克和加州大学伯克利分校的合作团队旨在通过可扩展的原子冷却结构和增强的光-原子相互作用来推进最先进的量子重力仪。该团队的目标不仅是开发高效冷却原子并操纵其量子叠加态的方法，还将建造一台能够同时测量重力及其垂直二阶和三阶导数的量子重力仪原型。此外，该团队还实施了一项计划，扩大STEM专业无代表学生参与量子信息科学和工程的范围，包括开发光学证书课程，开发新的量子传感课程，以及构建冷原子教育工具包。技术摘要：基于原子干涉测量的重力仪是当今从实验室向野外转移的主要量子传感器之一。最先进的紧凑型量子重力仪可以使用单个垂直原子干涉仪测量绝对重力值，并使用微分几何测量重力梯度。由于增加额外的原子干涉仪的复杂性，可以测量三阶重力导数的紧凑型量子重力仪尚未开发出来。在这个项目中，罗格斯-纽瓦克大学和加州大学伯克利分校的团队致力于开发可扩展的大力矩转移原子干涉术，以同时测量绝对重力及其垂直的二阶和三阶导数。该团队以先进的原子干涉术为中心，利用紧凑的磁光陷阱(MOT)和高效的大力矩传输，旨在实现三个研究目标：(1)在钻石形镜中展示三个垂直分离的单光束MOT；(2)展示使用单个拉曼光束在三个高度测量重力的原子干涉仪；(3)基于自旋相关的Kick和绝热快速通道，提高大动量传输的灵敏度。为了扩大学生在量子信息科学和工程方面的参与和培训，该团队计划开展教育活动，鼓励学生，特别是STEM中代表性不足的学生，参与这个项目，并进一步让他们接触更广泛的量子传感和计算主题。该项目由多学科活动办公室(MPS/OMA)和技术前沿计划(TIP/TF)联合资助。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。

Non-technical Abstract: In recent years, quantum mechanics have enabled breakthroughs in computing, communication, and sensing. Gravimeters based on free-fall wave-like cold atoms and matter-wave interferometry demonstrated competitive short-term sensitivity and unprecedented long-term stability. Transportable quantum gravimeters measuring the absolute gravity value or the gravity gradient have recently been used in out-of-laboratory surveys. However, compact and versatile quantum gravimeters with simultaneous sensitivity to the gravity field and its higher-order derivatives have yet to be demonstrated. The third-order derivative of the gravitational potential, the so-called curvature, represents the change rate of the gravity gradient and is sensitive to local mass density changes. Measuring the gravity curvature would open the door for providing horizontal resolutions in mining exploration and detecting near subsurface shallow density structures. In this project, the collaborative team from Rutgers-Newark and UC Berkeley aims to advance state-of-the-art quantum gravimeters with scalable atom-cooling structures and enhanced light-atom interactions. The team aims to not only develop the methods for efficient cooling atoms and manipulating their quantum superposition states but also build a prototype quantum gravimeter that can simultaneously measure gravity and its vertical second and third-order derivatives. In addition, the team implements a plan to broaden participation in quantum information science and engineering with unrepresented students in STEM majors, including developing a certificate program in optics, developing new quantum sensing courses, and building a cold-atom educational kit. Technical Abstract: Nowadays, gravimeters based on atom interferometry are one of the leading quantum sensors transferring from laboratories to the field. The state-of-the-art compact quantum gravimeters can measure the absolute gravity value using a single vertical atom interferometer and the gravity gradient using differential geometry. Due to the complexity of adding extra atom interferometers, compact quantum gravimeters that can measure the third-order gravity derivative have yet to be developed. In this project, the team at Rutgers-Newark and at UC Berkeley aims to develop scalable large-moment-transfer atom interferometry to simultaneously measure absolute gravity and its vertical second and third-order derivatives. Centered around advancing atom interferometry with compact magneto-optical traps (MOTs) and efficient large moment transfer, the team aims to achieve three research goals: (1) Demonstrating three vertically-separated single-beam MOTs in diamond-shaped mirrors; (2) Demonstrating atom interferometers using a single Raman beam to measure gravity at three heights; (3) Improving the sensitivity with large momentum transfer based on spin-depend kicks and adiabatic rapid passage. To expand participation and train students in quantum information science and engineering, the team plans educational activities to inspire students, particularly students from underrepresented groups in STEM, to participate in this project and further expose them to broader quantum sensing and computing topics.This project is jointly funded by the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (MPS/OMA), and the Technology Frontiers Program (TIP/TF).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.