AION: A UK Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The AION project harnesses a new generation of quantum sensors to conduct experiments in fundamental physics, such as the discovery of dark matter, and detect hitherto unknown sources of gravitational waves, such as violent collisions far away in the universe and events that occurred when the universe was a fraction of a second old. One of the foremost candidates for dark matter is some type of very light particle that is spread throughout space with a varying density that changes in time. AION is capable of detecting the effects of these variations on cold atoms using techniques based on quantum interference effects, with much greater sensitivity than current experiments. The same quantum techniques probe small fluctuations in the fabric of space-time caused by the passage of gravitational waves, and AION will measure such effects in a different range of wavelength and frequency from the existing experiments LIGO and Virgo. In this way it will be able to observe the mergers of black holes that are much more massive, possibly casting light on the formation of the supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies. AION may also be sensitive to gravitational waves generated in the very early universe, for example by phase transitions or by cosmic strings. AION will be operated in a network with detectors in the US and Europe that are based on similar quantum physics, and its measurements will complement those by LIGO, Virgo and the future space experiment LISA, providing many possible synergies through joint observations.
We will build an instrument in the UK that brings together the advantages of state-of-the-art optical clocks based on Sr atoms, with atom interferometry. This instrument has two atom interferometers, one above the other, in a vacuum system over 10m tall, with a laser beam running vertically through both that splits and recombines atomic wave packets. Two clouds of atoms will be prepared at different heights along a long vertical vacuum pipe, and both clouds will be launched so that they travel upwards for several metres before coming to rest and falling back down under gravity. Such 'atomic fountains' allow a long measurement time and large separation between the two arms of the interferometers. The atoms must be cooled to very low temperatures, less than 1 nanokelvin in our final design, otherwise they spread out and become too dilute before falling through the detection region. A vertical laser beam that runs through both clouds of atoms, at different heights, such that common-mode rejection of noise in differential measurements can determine the gradient of gravity with an uncertainty of 1x10^-10 per shot, comparable with the state of the art. The atoms are cooled in side-arms, transported into the vertical tube, launched, subjected to multiple laser pulses that form the interferometer and then finally detected using laser light. This requires a very sophisticated set of lasers. This will be the first large-scale atom interferometer in the UK; there are currently 10m devices in the USA, Germany and China.
The AION programme exploits synergies between STFC and EPSRC science and the strategic areas of quantum technology, computing and metrology. It brings together a consortium of experimental and theoretical particle physicists, as well as astrophysicists and instrumentation experts, quantum information scientists, experts in Sr based atomic clock research, and atomic physicists drawn from the STFC and EPSRC communities. AION will collaborate with leading international laboratories such as Fermilab in the US, creating new scientific partnerships also with members of the space science community. The quantum technologies of AION have potential applications in such varied areas as navigation and oil drilling. We will work closely with the UK Quantum Technologies Hub in sensors and metrology to develop these technologies and bring them to market.
We will build an instrument in the UK that brings together the advantages of state-of-the-art optical clocks based on Sr atoms, with atom interferometry. This instrument has two atom interferometers, one above the other, in a vacuum system over 10m tall, with a laser beam running vertically through both that splits and recombines atomic wave packets. Two clouds of atoms will be prepared at different heights along a long vertical vacuum pipe, and both clouds will be launched so that they travel upwards for several metres before coming to rest and falling back down under gravity. Such 'atomic fountains' allow a long measurement time and large separation between the two arms of the interferometers. The atoms must be cooled to very low temperatures, less than 1 nanokelvin in our final design, otherwise they spread out and become too dilute before falling through the detection region. A vertical laser beam that runs through both clouds of atoms, at different heights, such that common-mode rejection of noise in differential measurements can determine the gradient of gravity with an uncertainty of 1x10^-10 per shot, comparable with the state of the art. The atoms are cooled in side-arms, transported into the vertical tube, launched, subjected to multiple laser pulses that form the interferometer and then finally detected using laser light. This requires a very sophisticated set of lasers. This will be the first large-scale atom interferometer in the UK; there are currently 10m devices in the USA, Germany and China.
The AION programme exploits synergies between STFC and EPSRC science and the strategic areas of quantum technology, computing and metrology. It brings together a consortium of experimental and theoretical particle physicists, as well as astrophysicists and instrumentation experts, quantum information scientists, experts in Sr based atomic clock research, and atomic physicists drawn from the STFC and EPSRC communities. AION will collaborate with leading international laboratories such as Fermilab in the US, creating new scientific partnerships also with members of the space science community. The quantum technologies of AION have potential applications in such varied areas as navigation and oil drilling. We will work closely with the UK Quantum Technologies Hub in sensors and metrology to develop these technologies and bring them to market.
Planned Impact
AION interferometer scheme developments are crucial to enable £1bn quantum sensor markets and economic impacts at the scale of several percent of GDP along the Quantum Sensors roadmap maintained by the UK National Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing. AION Sr technology will significantly reduce the need for magnetic shielding in commercial atom interferometers. AION atom sources will enable faster operation with higher duty cycle and AION large momentum beam-splitters and squeezing developments will allow the achievement of commercially interesting sensitivities at short interferometry times. Together, these developments will enable the realisation of an order of magnitude smaller and lighter atom interferometer sensors, with sufficiently fast repetition rates that they can operate on moving platforms. This will allow the addressing of markets in navigation by map matching, which the Hub estimates to be on the order of £500M per year in the area of navigation for underwater vehicles and autonomous shipping alone. Furthermore, it will allow progress towards ultimate compactification, as needed for down-borehole devices in oil, shale and carbon sequestration (£200M per year), as well as applications in precision farming with sensors for irrigation management and soil compaction (estimated at £300-£500M per year). Our close collaboration with the Hub and their industry partners will provide a clear pathway towards translating AION results into technology and realising these impacts.
The combination of quantum and fundamental physics with the most sensitive instruments in the world will capture the imagination of the public and influence career choices towards STEM subjects. From previous experience we anticipate that we will be reaching over 100,000 people via social media and have direct contact with over 10,000 at showcase events such as the Royal Society Summer Exhibition, science festivals and outreach talks. We will take the opportunity to showcase our 10m atom interferometer instrument in its unique setting with site visits to schools and the general public. Drawing on the combined expertise of the professional outreach teams in our collaborating institutions, we will ensure that we will reach out to a diverse audience, and retain equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of all our activities.
Furthermore, it is important that policy and decision makers are well informed on this internationally-collaborative, globally-leading work programme, ensuring they understand how it will enhance both the UK's reputation in fundamental physics and the country's competitiveness in commercialisation of quantum technologies. The AION team will therefore take up opportunities to engage with such individuals, for example through encouraging the PDRAs to participate in the STEM for Britain poster competition in Parliament, associated students to consider 3 month secondments as RC-sponsored POST Fellows and the collaborating investigators to apply for the Royal Society Pairing Scheme which matches academics with parliamentarians and civil servants.
We have created a dedicated Impact Office as part of our management structure, with representatives from all collaborators, advised by each institution's professional commercialisation and outreach staff, to ensure that impact is deeply embedded within AION culture.
The combination of quantum and fundamental physics with the most sensitive instruments in the world will capture the imagination of the public and influence career choices towards STEM subjects. From previous experience we anticipate that we will be reaching over 100,000 people via social media and have direct contact with over 10,000 at showcase events such as the Royal Society Summer Exhibition, science festivals and outreach talks. We will take the opportunity to showcase our 10m atom interferometer instrument in its unique setting with site visits to schools and the general public. Drawing on the combined expertise of the professional outreach teams in our collaborating institutions, we will ensure that we will reach out to a diverse audience, and retain equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of all our activities.
Furthermore, it is important that policy and decision makers are well informed on this internationally-collaborative, globally-leading work programme, ensuring they understand how it will enhance both the UK's reputation in fundamental physics and the country's competitiveness in commercialisation of quantum technologies. The AION team will therefore take up opportunities to engage with such individuals, for example through encouraging the PDRAs to participate in the STEM for Britain poster competition in Parliament, associated students to consider 3 month secondments as RC-sponsored POST Fellows and the collaborating investigators to apply for the Royal Society Pairing Scheme which matches academics with parliamentarians and civil servants.
We have created a dedicated Impact Office as part of our management structure, with representatives from all collaborators, advised by each institution's professional commercialisation and outreach staff, to ensure that impact is deeply embedded within AION culture.
