Multi-Axis Inertial Sensing with 2D Matter-Wave Arrays

authored by: K. Stolzenberg, C. Struckmann, S. Bode, R. Li, A. Herbst, V. Vollenkemper, D. Thomas, A. Rajagopalan, E. M. Rasel, N. Gaaloul, D. Schlippert
Abstract: Atom interferometery is an exquisite measurement technique sensitive to inertial forces. However, it is commonly limited to a single sensitive axis, allowing high-precision multidimensional sensing only through subsequent or postcorrected measurements. We report on a novel method for multi-axis inertial sensing based on the correlation of simultaneous light-pulse atom interferometers in 2D array arrangements of Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC). Deploying a scalable 3×3 BEC array spanning 1.6 mm2 created using time-averaged optical potentials, we perform measurements of linear acceleration induced by gravity and simultaneously demonstrate sensitivity to angular velocity and acceleration of a rotating reference mirror, as well as gravity gradients and higher-order derivatives. Our Letter enables simple, high-precision multi-axis inertial sensing compatible with high rotation rates, e.g., for inertial navigation in dynamic environments. We finally envision further applications of our method, e.g., 3D in situ measurements and reconstruction of laser beam intensities and wave fronts.
Organisation(s): Institute of Quantum Optics
Type: Article
Journal: Physical Review Letters
Volume: 134
ISSN: 0031-9007
Publication date: 09.04.2025
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: General Physics and Astronomy
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.143601 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.08762 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{59bf01bef50f48b0803ac13cd5db7283,
title = "Multi-Axis Inertial Sensing with 2D Matter-Wave Arrays",
abstract = "Atom interferometery is an exquisite measurement technique sensitive to inertial forces. However, it is commonly limited to a single sensitive axis, allowing high-precision multidimensional sensing only through subsequent or postcorrected measurements. We report on a novel method for multi-axis inertial sensing based on the correlation of simultaneous light-pulse atom interferometers in 2D array arrangements of Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC). Deploying a scalable 3×3 BEC array spanning 1.6 mm2 created using time-averaged optical potentials, we perform measurements of linear acceleration induced by gravity and simultaneously demonstrate sensitivity to angular velocity and acceleration of a rotating reference mirror, as well as gravity gradients and higher-order derivatives. Our Letter enables simple, high-precision multi-axis inertial sensing compatible with high rotation rates, e.g., for inertial navigation in dynamic environments. We finally envision further applications of our method, e.g., 3D in situ measurements and reconstruction of laser beam intensities and wave fronts.",
keywords = "physics.atom-ph, quant-ph",
author = "K. Stolzenberg and C. Struckmann and S. Bode and R. Li and A. Herbst and V. Vollenkemper and D. Thomas and A. Rajagopalan and Rasel, {E. M.} and N. Gaaloul and D. Schlippert",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 authors.",
year = "2025",
month = apr,
day = "9",
doi = "10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.143601",
language = "English",
volume = "134",
journal = "Physical Review Letters",
issn = "0031-9007",
publisher = "American Physical Society",
number = "14",
}