Abstract
We realize beam splitters and mirrors for atom waves by employing a sequence of light pulses rather than individual ones. In this way we can tailor atom interferometers with improved sensitivity and accuracy. We demonstrate our method of composite pulses by creating a symmetric matter-wave interferometer which combines the advantages of conventional Bragg- and Raman-type concepts. This feature leads to an interferometer with a high immunity to technical noise allowing us to devise a large-area Sagnac gyroscope yielding a phase shift of 6.5 rad due to the Earth’s rotation. With this device we achieve a rotation rate precision of and determine the Earth’s rotation rate with a relative uncertainty of 1.2%.
- Received 31 October 2014
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.063002
© 2015 American Physical Society
Focus
A Better Quantum Gyroscope
Published 9 February 2015
An improved cold atom gyroscope could lead to portable, ultraprecise devices for navigation and tests of fundamental physics.
See more in Physics