Quantum technologies with ultracold atoms for atomic clocks, interferometry and quantum simulation

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Ultracold atoms are a very useful tool in Quantum Technologies for building practical measurement devices. Of particular interest are rotation sensing devices with applications in quantum-based, autonomous navigation devices. Our research programme in the experimental quantum optics and photonics group uses quantum gases, cooled to ultralow temperatures to create Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs).One of the key aims of our research is the demonstration of a device using integrated optics for BEC interferometry. A possible outcome would be the translation of BEC technology into a practical navigation tool. This project will build on our existing activities at Strathclyde in atom interferometry with coherent matter waves and work on ring-shaped guided traps to explore the possibilities for developing miniaturised technology for rotation sensing. We will use microfabrication technology (published in Nature Nanotechnology, May 2013: dx.doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2013.47), which we have developed for miniaturisation of laser cooling setups with the prospect for arbitrary design of optical potentials. There are two main strands to the present project. The student will participate in the existing research programmes in BEC interferometry at the EQOP group and in parallel with that apply existing knowledge in the development of a micro-fabricated device. A key aim is the demonstration of an integrated device for laser cooling and BEC interferometry, which can also be used for quantum simulation, if optical lattices structures were integrated. This project would ultimately inform the translation of chip-based BEC technology into a practical tool.