Compact and Highly-Sensitive Multi-Axes Gyroscope using Large Momentum Transfer Point Source Atom Interferometry

Atom interferometry offers the potential to deliver high-performance, compact, and robust gyroscopes that are suitable for inertial navigation. Critical requirements for such a gyroscope include a high sensitivity to rotations, insensitivity to accelerations, and a simple scheme that is well-suited to miniaturization. An atomic gyroscope based on the combination of point source interferometry (PSI) and large momentum transfer (LMT) beam splitters is well-suited to meet these requirements. A conventional PSI is based on the use of cold atoms released from a trap, and subjected to two-photon Raman transitions that act as beam splitters and mirrors for a Mach-Zehnder light-pulse atom interferometer. In a PSI, the rotation signal is observed by monitoring the fringes develop across the spatial profile of the expanded cloud, and is unaffected by acceleration. The spacing and the orientation of the fringes are analyzed to determine the components of the rotation vector that are orthogonal to the laser pulses, thus realizing a multi-axes gyroscope. The sensitivity of a conventional PSI is limited by the relatively small area enclosed, since the conventional Raman pulses produce a momentum separation equivalent to only two photon recoil momenta. Under this proposal, we will investigate the feasibility of realizing a PSI that makes use of the technique of large momentum transfer (LMT) based on pulsed Bragg Transitions (BT) and adiabatic rapid passage (ARP). For experimentally feasible parameters, such a gyroscope may enclose an area as large as one square centimeter. For ten million atoms interrogated per second, it would be able to achieve a rotation sensitivity of about 2.5 micro-degree/hour per root-Hz, which would be nearly a factor of 50 better that the best atom interferometric gyroscope, which is large and based on atomic beams, demonstrated to date. The LMT-PSI can be compact, and holds the potential for revolutionary advancement in inertial navigation.

• Improved space vehicle positioning and navigation • Ultra-precise pointing and platform stabilization for telescopes • Space vehicle health monitoring • Tests of general relativity via measurement of gravitational frame dragging effect

• Improved positioning and navigation of missiles • Positioning and navigation for atmospheric and ground vehicles in GPS-denied environments • Guidance of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) • Guidance of smart ammunitions • Advanced laser beam pointing/steering systems

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