Recycling Fast-Response Atom Interferometer for Navigation (ReFRAIN)

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) will develop a Recycling Fast-Response Atom Interferometer for Navigation (ReFRAIN) as an atom interferometer (AI) accelerometer specially designed to improve inertial navigation systems (INS) on moving platforms.  The ReFRAIN provides sensitivity, dynamic range, bandwidth, and bias stability that matches or exceeds state of the art mechanical accelerometers.  PSI introduces a novel optical and mechanical architecture to enable improved performance with size, weight, and power (SWaP) compatible with existing inertial guidance systems.  An initial system model and proof-of-concept demonstration will be provided in Phase I.  Initial feasibility will be evaluated using benchtop equipment and leverage existing atom-trapping and phase locked laser systems.  A simplified interferometer will be evaluated and risks reduced in preparation for detailed inertial performance evaluations in Phase II.