A Cold-Atom Gyroscope with Low-Noise, High-Stability Control Electronics

Lynntech Inc. in collaboration with the ultra cold atomic physics lab at the University of Virginia proposes to implement a compact cold atom interferometer using a novel ring electromagnetic trap to perform precision rotation measurements. Currently, the cold atom laboratory operates a functional Bose Einstein Condensate (BEC) interferometer with coherence times up to 0.1 sec using a linear waveguide configuration. It has been demonstrated that coherence times and atomic packet separation distances can be greatly increased using weak confinement fields and highly stable current sources, thereby increasing the obtainable measurement times. We plan to use the existing BEC apparatus in combination with new hardware and electronics to develop the new ring trap geometry for rotation sensing. To this end, the phase I objective will be focused in specifying the complete design for the hardware, electronics and software required for the new ring trap geometry. Particular attention will be given to the development of low noise and high stability control electronics to drive the currents required for the traps circuitry. The final objective will be to use the phase I electromagnetic trap hardware design to implement a functional cold atom Sagnac interferometer at the end of the phase II effort. BENEFIT: Devices harnessing quantum properties of matter waves have demonstrated the ability to dramatically improve the sensitivity of state-of-the-art rotation sensors. The U.S. Air Force along with multiple advanced research centers specialized in cold atoms are devoting considerable efforts towards implementing Sagnac atom interferometers (applied to precision inertial navigation systems in aircrafts and satellites). To this end, specialized magnetic traps and micro-fabricated hardware are needed, creating a demand for specialized precision current sources not readily available in the market. Lynntech will develop the required electronics for atom interferometry, positioning itself as an initial supplier of specialized current sources in this field.