Precision Measurements with a Condensate Interferometer

将进行一系列使用原子干涉进行精确测量的实验。在原子干涉计量学中，描述原子的量子力学波被分成两个在空间上分开的分量。当这两个组件后来重新组合时，结果编码了关于原子环境的信息。该项目将研究使用干涉来改进加速度、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计量学来检测和计数单光子，这可能有助于实施或攻击各种类型的量子通信方案。这项工作将在各种领域产生广泛影响。两名研究生将得到资助，所进行的实验可能会成为他们博士学位论文的基础。这些学生将接受先进科学技术的培训，并将为从事富有成效的研究生涯做好充分准备。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长，该项目还可能具有重大的技术和社会意义。

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.