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Quantum Space Navigation – QGYRO

Quantum Space Navigation – QGYRO

New project in the group of Prof. Ernst Rasel (Institute for Quantum Optics)

Inertial measurements are the backbone for any highly accurate trajectory determination by tracking and integrating accelerations and rotation rates in all three spatial directions. In principle, inertial navigation provides autonomy and is therefore particularly attractive in areas without line of sight to satellites (e.g. in buildings, tunnels or in space) as required by GNSS-based navigation solutions. Established inertial measurement units rely on classical sensors suffering from device dependent drifts. For long-term stable solutions, they require a correction, usually provided by GPS (GNSS). This type of hybrid navigation fails wherever GPS is not reliably available, e.g. in buildings, underground, in tunnels but also in space applications.

Atomic inertial sensors are versatile tools to measure accelerations and rotation at high precision and long-term stability. These devices are typically operated with a limited bandwidth, dead times in the measurement, and restricted to a single sensitive axis. Therefore, hybrid schemes with classical and quantum sensors can be exploited to combine the strengths of both systems.

In our research project, we aim for the realisation of an inertial quantum measurement unit. In cooperation with experts in the field of inertial navigation, we will develop and test new schemes and implementations of atomic inertial sensors at the Institute of Quantum Optics in Hannover. The overall objective of the project is to develop high-precision inertial quantum sensors and to test in a relevant environment, thus opening new fields of application for this kind of devices.

Your opportunity to join our team

We offer positions for PhD candidates (TVL-13 75%) and PostDocs (TVL-13 100%) for a fixed term of three years starting from October 2019 or later. We are looking for motivated persons to join our team. A university degree in physics or an equivalent field is required. Experience in optics, atomic physics and/or quantum physics is preferable, but not mandatory.

If you are interested in joining our team or have any questions, please contact:
Dr. Sven Abend, Tel.: +49 (0) 511 762 4107, abend@iqo.uni-hannover.de or
Dr. Christian Schubert, Tel.: +49 (0) 511 762 2548, schubert@iqo.uni-hannover.de