AION: A UK Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics
Organisations
Publications
Buchmueller O
(2023)
Large-Scale Atom Interferometry for Fundamental Physics
Buchmueller O
(2023)
Large-scale atom interferometry for fundamental physics
in Contemporary Physics
Abe M
(2021)
Matter-wave Atomic Gradiometer Interferometric Sensor (MAGIS-100)
in Quantum Science and Technology
Bason M
(2021)
The atom interferometer observatory and network
| Title | AtomECS |
| Description | AtomECS is a Rust software for simulating ultracold atom experiments. It supports numerous features: Laser-cooling of atoms by optical scattering forces. Doppler forces on atoms that scatter light, including the random fluctuations that give rise to the Doppler temperature limit. Magnetic fields, implemented on a grid or through simple analytical models. Hot atoms generated by an oven. Hot atoms generated on the surface of a simulation volume (eg, to simulate thermal vapor in a chamber). Cooling light beams, defined by their detuning and gaussian intensity profiles. Volumes that define bounds for the simulation. File output in binary or text format. Thorough unit testing to ensure simulation results are correct. Good parallel performance on modern multi-core CPUs. Simulations can be wrapped using python/matlab, as shown in the source_optimisation_example or the matlab examples. Optical dipole force traps. Confinement of atoms by magnetic fields, e.g. quadrupole and TOP traps. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | - |
| URL | https://github.com/TeamAtomECS/AtomECS |
| Description | Cambridge Festival 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Broadly 150 members of general public attended evening lecture and discussion on "The universe in an atom: atoms as quantum sensors for fundamental physics" as part of the Cambridge Festival. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-universe-in-an-atom-atoms-as-quantum-sensors-for-fundamental-phys... |
| Description | Physics at Work |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Physics at Work aims to show 14-16yr olds the variety of careers to which study in Physics can lead and the range of practical problems that physics can be used to solve. This event is open to all schools and is free (there is a £10 per group refundable deposit). The exhibition is run in a similar way each year, based upon interaction between active scientific researchers and students. This will help to inform and spread the excitement of modern physics research to students who will soon be making career and examination choices, and is a vital component in encouraging the next generation of scientists. The Physics at Work Exhibition runs over three days, with two sessions on each day. This event is centred around approximately 25 exhibitors and is held at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. Some of the exhibitors are from research groups within the Cavendish Laboratory and the others are from industry, including companies such as Rolls-Royce Plc., Domino Printing Services and the AWE. Each half-day session typically has a capacity for about 450 students. The students are split into small groups of around 15 and are accompanied by a teacher as they follow a route defined by the organisers. Each small group, with its teacher, visits six exhibits over a period of about three hours, including a short break halfway through. Each exhibit usually consists of a short presentation, practical demonstrations, an opportunity for hands-on involvement and time for asking questions. A booklet of information is provided to support the exhibition, allowing teachers to bring ideas back into their lessons later in the year. This structured approach has developed over time and allows the students to engage thoroughly with the science on display. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| URL | https://outreach.phy.cam.ac.uk/programme/physicsatwork |
| Description | UK Quantum showcase |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | UK national Quantum showcase |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| URL | https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/events/uk-national-quantum-technologies-showcase-2023/ |
| Description | UK/Austria Quantum Exchange |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | UK/Austria Quantum Exchange, organized by British Embassy Vienna, UK Science and Innovation Network (UK SIN). quantum exchange early March (4/5 March) with the quantum research, start-up and tech community in Austria - specifically with the quantum community in Innsbruck (with innovative research in quantum computing, quantum optics and information and a strong and growing quantum start-up and university spin-off scene) The idea is to bring the quantum research communities and leading labs both in the area of quantum computing / quantum optics in the UK and in Innsbruck together to build new and strengthen existing academic networks and connections as basis for future broader collaboration between the UK and Austria (Innsbruck). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |