Atom interferometry
Atom interferometry is a critical technology where quantum interference between two wavepackets put in a quantum superposition is used to perform high-precision measurements of a desired quantity. Since its first proof of principle, it has matured to a versatile technology that is currently sought to be moved out of the laboratory and used in ultraprecise quantum sensors for metrology, geophysics, civil engineering, energy and resource harvesting, space and navigation.
Through the development of comprehensive models, simulation tools and fundamental research on new schemes for atom interferometry, I am driving solutions to enable the use of atom interferometry in real-life applications, and enhance the performance, resilience and technological readiness of atom-interferometry-based quantum sensors. I am especially interested in:
· Noise and systematic effects in atom interferometers operating in the field
· Large-momentum transfer atom interferometry.
· Atom-interferometry-based quantum sensors
Highlights
Quantum sensors
The Quantum Technology Hub for Sensing and Timing at University of Birmingham is developing some of the world’s most advanced atom-interferometry-based gravity sensors to be used in positioning and navigation systems, civil engineering applications, space and fundamental physics. Supported by my comprehensive modelling and simulations in the aim to understand systematic effects and provide mitigation solutions to reduce their impact on sensing performance, the Hub field gradiometer has recently overcome some key limitations associated with operation in the field and successfully suppressed the effects of micro-seismic and laser noise, thermal and magnetic field variations, and instrument tilt. With a statistical uncertainty of 20 E, the instrument was used to perform a 0.5 m spatial resolution survey across an 8.5 m long line, and was able to perform the first-ever detection of a real-life application feature (a 2-meter tunnel), opening a new window into the underground with implications across geophysics, engineering, and climate research.
Published in Nature 602, 590–594 (2022).
Atom-interferometry for fundamental physics
The AION project (Atom Interferometry Observatory and Network), led by a consortium of 7 UK universities, is aiming at building a terrestrial facility for gravitational wave and dark-matter detection using large-momentum transfer atom interferometry. As task lead on theory and modelling for large-momentum transfer, I have developed a validated model of the interferometer and used it to conduct extensive simulations of the instrument performance. This has permitted to set clear hardware specifications and to quantitatively inform mechanical, electrical and optical engineering design choices for the facility. I am currently working on improved interferometric schemes that would allow to meet the sensitivity requirements for gravitational wave and dark-matter detection.
