Internship and thesis proposals
A continuous cold-atom interferometer to achieve quantum noise detection limit in gravity measurements

Domaines
Quantum optics/Atomic physics/Laser
Quantum information theory and quantum technologies
Metrology

Type of internship
Expérimental
Description
Context: Cold atom inertial sensors have many applications, in particular in geosciences. The operation of these sensors is based on atomic interferometry, taking advantage of superpositions between quantum states of different momentum in an atom, generated by optical transitions with two (or more) photons in order to realize accurate sensors. The project aims at developing continuous gravity measurements using cold atom inter-ferometers in order to improve their sensitivity while maintaining their accuracy. Ultimately, this sensor must reach the detection limit, intrinsically linked to quantum projection noise. This method is very general in atomic quantum sensors and can also be applied to dif-ferent schemes of interferometer, atomic clocks... Master thesis work: In order to realize this continuous measurement, we must use a sequence whose cycle time is twice as short as the interrogation. To achieve this regime, certain modifica-tions must be made to the existing experiment in order to simultaneously realize atomic beam splitters and mirror for three independent atomic samples with Raman transitions. Another study will focus on hybridization with a conventional sensor in order to suited to continuous operation. Major modifications in the preparation of the input quantum state and in the detection schemes must also be study and setup in order to ensure that the light emitted by the atoms dur-ing these stages does not disturb the atoms inside the interferometer.

Contact
Arnaud Landragin
Laboratory : SYRTE - 8630
Team : Atom Interferometry and Inertial Sensors
Team Website
/ Thesis :    Funding :