Abstract
Recent proposals for space-borne gravitational wave detectors based on atom interferometry rely on extremely narrow single-photon transition lines as featured by alkaline-earth metals or atomic species with similar electronic configuration. Despite their similarity, these species differ in key parameters such as abundance of isotopes, atomic flux, density and temperature regimes, achievable expansion rates, density limitations set by interactions, as well as technological and operational requirements. In this study, we compare viable candidates for gravitational wave detection with atom interferometry, contrast the most promising atomic species, identify the relevant technological milestones and investigate potential source concepts towards a future gravitational wave detector in space.
Highlights
The first detection of gravitational waves [1], predicted by Einstein’s theory of General Relativity one hundred years ago, is without any doubt among the most exciting developments at the forefront of modern physics and holds the potential of routinely using gravitational wave antennas as an observational tool [2]
Beyond its significance as confirmation of General Relativity predictions, the progress in establishing a network of gravitational wave observatories opens the path towards novel tools in astronomy
This has motivated the drive for space missions such as LISA pathfinder [8] and LISA [9] to perform millihertzgravitational wave detection circumventing ground limits
Summary
The first detection of gravitational waves [1], predicted by Einstein’s theory of General Relativity one hundred years ago, is without any doubt among the most exciting developments at the forefront of modern physics and holds the potential of routinely using gravitational wave antennas as an observational tool [2]. Beyond its significance as confirmation of General Relativity predictions, the progress in establishing a network of gravitational wave observatories opens the path towards novel tools in astronomy. It will enable the observation of previously undetectable phenomena [1], help gain insight into their event rates, correlate data analysis in multi-messenger astronomy campaigns [3], and allow for novel tests of the Einstein equivalence principle [4]. Ground-based atom interferometers are limited at frequencies approaching a fraction of a Hz and space-borne detectors are vital to probe the lowest frequencies [16]. A detailed trade-off study focusing on atomic source aspects as input for gravitational wave detectors has as of yet been missing
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