Sagnac interferometry with cold atoms

Abstract

Summary form only given. Matter wave interferometers have become very promising tools in fundamental physics and metrology. The sensitivities obtained with such atomic quantum sensors compete with classical state-of-the-art devices for acceleration and rotation measurements. Currently, we are setting up a new cold atom Sagnac interferometer (CASI) to realize high precision measurements of rotations with a compact and flexible setup. Using cold atoms the experiment aims to achieve sensitivities down to 2/spl times/10/sup -9/ rad/s/Hz for a compact interferometer as short as 15 cm. Rotations and accelerations will be discriminated by synchronous operation of two counterpropagating ensembles of ultra-cold atoms. We will give an overview about the concept and the parameters of our future interferometer. The results of the characterization of our 2D-MOT, which serves as a brilliant source for our cold atom interferometer, will be presented. The compact design of the sensor will be transportable. Thus, it will permit the comparison with other gyroscopes. CASI will be a first step towards a cold atom space experiment of the second generation.