The Space Atom Interferometer project: status and prospects

Sorrentino, Fiodor; Bongs, K.; Bouyer, P.; Cacciapuoti, Luigi; DE ANGELIS, Marella; Dittus, H.; Ertmer, W.; Hartwig, J.; Hauth, M.; Herrmann, S.; Huang, K.; Inguscio, Massimo; Kajari, E.; Konemann, T.; Lammerzahl, C.; Landragin, A.; Modugno, Giovanni; Pereira dos Santos, F.; Peters, A.; Prevedelli, M.; Rasel, E. M.; Schleich, W. P.; Schmidt, M.; Senger, A.; Sengstock, K.; Stern, G.; Tino, GUGLIELMO MARIA; Valenzuela, T.; Walser, R.; Windpassinger, P.

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/327/1/012050

This paper presents the current status and future prospects of the Space Atom Interferometer project (SAI), funded by the European Space Agency. Atom interferometry provides extremely sensitive and accurate tools for the measurement of inertial forces. Operation of atom interferometers in microgravity is expected to enhance the performance of such sensors. Main goal of SAI is to demonstrate the possibility of placing atom interferometers in space. The resulting drop-tower compatible atom interferometry acceleration sensor prototype is described. Expected performance limits and potential scientific applications in a micro-gravity environment are also discussed.

The Space Atom Interferometer project: status and prospects / F Sorrentino; K Bongs; P Bouyer; L Cacciapuoti; M de Angelis; H Dittus; W Ertmer; J Hartwig; M Hauth; S Herrmann; K Huang; M Inguscio; E Kajari; T Konemann; C Lammerzahl; A Landragin; G Modugno; F Pereira dos Santos; A Peters; M Prevedelli; E M Rasel; W P Schleich; M Schmidt; A Senger; K Sengstock; G Stern; G M Tino; T Valenzuela; R Walser; P Windpassinger. - In: JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONFERENCE SERIES. - ISSN 1742-6588. - STAMPA. - 327:(2011), pp. 1-13. [10.1088/1742-6596/327/1/012050]