Cold Atom Based Gravity Sensor
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The student will study atom interferometry with cold atoms. He will learn how to operate an exisiting instrument and design additions to the detection system. In particular he will learn about non-destructive detection techniques and install a system, which can read out the output states of the atom interferometer in a quantum non-demolition way. He will implement and characterise the detection system and analyse the improvements in sesitivity this system allows to achieve.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Kai Bongs (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Rustin Nourshargh (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509590/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1843515 | Studentship | EP/N509590/1 | 16/01/2017 | 15/07/2020 | Rustin Nourshargh |
| Description | We have discovered new ways of using optical cavities to improve the performance of atom interferometers. We are investigating further and the work is still on going. |
| Exploitation Route | These ideas may have applications in field based cold atom sensors, such as the gravity pioneer project. This has applications in civil engineering, and a broader range disucssed on the quantum sensing hub website. The wider field are working on navigation systems using atom interferometry, which may have wide ranging applications. There are some fundamental physics experiments that may take these techniques forward. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Construction,Energy,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Description | BP, quantum outreach, exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Exhibition, presentations and talks about quantum sensing to BP employees, broader oil and gas industry organisations, and academics in other sensing disciplines. Interaction with engineers during the exhibition showed a high degree of interest and increased our awareness of their requirements. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | National Quantum Showcase |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented gravity work at birmingham to the quantum technology comunity and industry looking to use the technology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Quantum in the City: the shape of things to come |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Exhibited gravity sensing to members of the public at the quantum in the city event. Discussed quantum technology with large numbers of members of the public over several hours. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visit to DSTL to present gravity gradiometers to heads of UK funding bodies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Took a compact gravtity gradiometer to Porton Down to demonstrate it to senior staff in UK funding bodies. (UKRI, EPSRC, DSTL) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |