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Completed TRL 6 (started at 3, targeting 6)
Develop a compact hybridization of a magnetic and optical trap for neutral atoms that combines the advantages of each individual trapping technology: large capture volume, deep depth, and confinement of non-magnetic states.
This setup will produce 10x more ultracold atoms than the purely magnetic trap created with high currents in the microchip wires of currently operating flight experiments. This increased atom number enhances the science of all existing proposals related to ultracold atoms and quantum gas based inertial sensors in orbit. Transfer of these atoms into non-magnetic states within the optical trap further introduces a wide range of quantum experiments never before possible in space.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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