National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC

Weng W Chow

Jongmin Lee

Jonathan David Sterk

Adrian Samuel Orozco

A large-dynamic and high-sensitive measurement protocol of an evanescent-field-mode guided atom interferometer accelerometer is disclosed. Cold atoms of a finite temperature are one-dimensionally guided in an evanescent field optical dipole trap. The first-step pathfinder protocol employs the revival of atomic coherence, i.e., the recovery of atomic fringe visibility to capture global interferometric signature to provide the information (e.g., a large-range of approximate acceleration sensing) to optimize the physical parameters for the second-step high-precision guided LPAI measurement. The contrast of atomic fringe visibility returns to unity given a specific interrogation time during the pulse sequence. To ensure the optimal interrogation time, the method employs a time-scanning sequence about the anticipated optimal interrogation time. The anticipated optimal interrogation time is determined via a conventional inertial measurement unit co-sensor or through the use of a look-up table. The method may alternatively employ a phase-scanning sequence.

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Weng W Chow