Atom interferometry is an exquisite measurement technique sensitive to inertial forces. However, it is commonly limited to a single sensitive axis, allowing high-precision multi-dimensional sensing only through subsequent or post-corrected measurements. Knut Stolzenberg and Daida Thomas and their team have now presented a novel method for multi-axis inertial sensing based on the correlation of simultaneous light-pulse atom interferometers in 2D array arrangements of Bose-Einstein Condensates (BEC). They present their findings in the current issue of Physical Review Letters.
Deploying a scalable 3×3 BEC array spanning 1.6 mm² created using time-averaged optical potentials, they performed measurements of linear acceleration induced by gravity and simultaneously demonstrated sensitivity to angular velocity and acceleration of a rotating reference mirror, as well as gravity gradients and higher-order derivatives. This approach enables simple, high-precision multi-axis inertial sensing compatible with high rotation rates, e.g., for inertial navigation in dynamic environments.
The team´s work shows a way of distinguishing inertial quantities acting on the atoms in an atom interferometer. By employing multiple interferometers in a two-dimensional configuration, they could successfully deduce linear acceleration, rotational acceleration and rotation rate, as well as the center of rotation differentially.
The concept paves the way for autonomous inertial measurement units based on atom interferometry. Further prospects are in-situ characterisation of electro-magnetic fields, such as the beam used to drive the interferometer, or miniaturisation of the setup for applications in geodesy and inertial navigation. In addition the concept was patented as "Quanteninertialmesseinheit und Verfahren zur Erfassung wenigstens einer physikalischen Messgröße (Quantum inertial measurement unit and method for acquiring at least one physical measured quantity)".
Original publication
Multi-axis inertial sensing with 2D matter-wave arrays
K. Stolzenberg, C. Struckmann, S. Bode, R. Li, A. Herbst, V. Vollenkemper, D. Thomas, A. Rajagopalan, E. M. Rasel, N. Gaaloul, and D. Schlippert
Physical Review Letters 134, 14 (2025).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.143601
