Advanced accelerometer/gradiometer concepts based on atom interferometry

M. Schmidt, A. Senger, M. Hauth, S. Grede, C. Freier, A. Peters
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, AG Optische Metrologie, Hausvogteiplatz 5-7, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Since 1992, matter wave interferometry has been used in many laboratories for a variety of fundamental physics experiments, e.g. measurement of the fine-structure and gravity constants. However, due to the complexity of these experiments, they were confined to laboratory environments. In recent years, however, efforts have been undertaken to develop mobile atom interferometers. These new sensors open up the possibility to perform on-site high-precision measurements of rotations, gravity gradients as well as absolute accelerations.

We present the basic principles underlying atom interferometers. Furthermore, we report on the status of different projects that are currently investigating and testing possible applications of mobile atom interferometers. These possibilities include earthbound mobile gravimeters as well as future employment of this technology in earth observation satellite missions. Finally, we discuss a variety of possible sensor configurations for earth orbit gravity measurements in GRACE / GOCE follow-up missions.