Gravity sensing: cold atom trap onboard a 6U CubeSat

Devani, Diviya; Maddox, Stephen; Renshaw, Ryan C.; Cox, Nigel; Sweeney, Helen; Cross, T.A.; Holynski, Michael; Nolli, Raffaele; Winch, Jonathan; Bongs, Kai; Holland, Karen; Colebrook, David; Adams, Neil; Quillien, Kevin A.; Buckle, James; Karde, Anupe; Farries, M.C.; Legg, Tom; Webb, R.P.; Gawith, C.B.E.; Berry, Sam A.; Carpenter, Lewis G.

doi:10.1007/s12567-020-00326-4

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The CAI payload is a further development of the 6U CASPA CubeSat previously built by Teledyne e2v and partners and described in Devani et al [9]. Several different concepts have been considered for the implementation of the physics package including prism MOT and atom chip concepts.…”

Section: Cai Accelerometermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…CAI relies on cooling a vapor of atoms in a vacuum chamber close to absolute zero temperature using lasers [51] and using the properties of the atoms to form a matter-wave interferometer that is extremely sensitive to accelerations. The CAI accelerometer is an evolution of the concept described by Devani et al [9]. This demonstrated cold atom cooling of Rubidium atoms in a 6U CubeSat form factor in a miniaturized and ruggedized package.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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CASPA-ADM: a mission concept for observing thermospheric mass density

et al. 2022

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Cold Atom technology has undergone rapid development in recent years and has been demonstrated in space in the form of cold atom scientific experiments and technology demonstrators, but has so far not been used as the fundamental sensor technology in a science mission. The European Space Agency therefore funded a 7-month project to define the CASPA-ADM mission concept, which serves to demonstrate cold-atom interferometer (CAI) accelerometer technology in space. To make the mission concept useful beyond the technology demonstration, it aims at providing observations of thermosphere mass density in the altitude region of 300–400 km, which is presently not well covered with observations by other missions. The goal for the accuracy of the thermosphere density observations is 1% of the signal, which will enable the study of gas–surface interactions as well as the observation of atmospheric waves. To reach this accuracy, the CAI accelerometer is complemented with a neutral mass spectrometer, ram wind sensor, and a star sensor. The neutral mass spectrometer data is considered valuable on its own since the last measurements of atmospheric composition and temperature in the targeted altitude range date back to 1980s. A multi-frequency GNSS receiver provides not only precise positions, but also thermosphere density observations with a lower resolution along the orbit, which can be used to validate the CAI accelerometer measurements. In this paper, we provide an overview of the mission concept and its objectives, the orbit selection, and derive first requirements for the scientific payload.

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Section: Cai Accelerometermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CASPA-ADM: a mission concept for observing thermospheric mass density

et al. 2022

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“…It can cool down atoms to the order of 100 µK. An actual cold atom sensor based on the heritage of CASPA is planned to be built [622].…”

Section: Space-based Cold Atoms Projectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum Physics in Space

Belenchia,

Carlesso,

Bayraktar

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Advances in quantum technologies are giving rise to a revolution in the way fundamental physics questions are explored at the empirical level. At the same time, they are the seeds for future disruptive technological applications of quantum physics. Remarkably, a space-based environment may open many new avenues for exploring and employing quantum physics and technologies. Recently, space missions employing quantum technologies for fundamental or applied studies have been proposed and implemented with stunning results.The combination of quantum physics and its space application is the focus of this review: we cover both the fundamental scientific questions that can be tackled with quantum technologies in space and the possible implementation of these technologies for a variety of academic and commercial purposes.

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“…Further launches to ISS are planned such as the ACES/PHARAO atomic clock [65], or the dual-species atomic experiment facility BECCAL [66]. Various proposals are in development for deployment on cubesats such as CASPA [67] or as part of large scale missions such as AEDGE [68]. Very similar systems and infrastructures can lay the foundations of future space-based quantum memories for deployment in orbit.…”

Section: B Laser-cooled Atomic Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%