Abstract
Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in free fall constitute a promising source for space-borne interferometry. Indeed, BECs enjoy a slowly expanding wave function, display a large spatial coherence and can be engineered and probed by optical techniques. Here we explore matter-wave fringes of multiple spinor components of a BEC released in free fall employing light-pulses to drive Bragg processes and induce phase imprinting on a sounding rocket. The prevailing microgravity played a crucial role in the observation of these interferences which not only reveal the spatial coherence of the condensates but also allow us to measure differential forces. Our work marks the beginning of matter-wave interferometry in space with future applications in fundamental physics, navigation and earth observation.
Highlights
Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in free fall constitute a promising source for space-borne interferometry
Exploration of degenerate quantum gases is currently continued with the Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) in orbit[26]
In this article we report on the first interference experiments performed during the recent space flight of the MAIUS-1 rocket[27] demonstrating the macroscopic coherence of the BECs engineered in this microgravity environment
Summary
Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in free fall constitute a promising source for space-borne interferometry. The condensates can be engineered and probed by optical techniques[2,3,4,5] making them a promising source for precision measurements Their large spatial coherence and their slow expanding wave function[6] allow for experiments on macroscopic time scales. Being at the very heart of the aforementioned proposals, our experiments set the beginning of space-borne coherent atom optics They have benefited from our earlier studies on BEC interferometry at the drop tower in Bremen[22,23] exploring methods for high-precision inertial measurements. Exploration of degenerate quantum gases is currently continued with the Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) in orbit[26]
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