Simulating space-borne atom interferometers for Earth Observation and tests of General Relativity
- 1Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University of Hanover, Germany
- 2SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris-PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, LNE, Paris, France
Quantum sensors based on the interference of matter waves provide an exceptional performance to test the postulates of General Relativity by comparing the free-fall acceleration of matter waves of different composition. Space-borne quantum tests of the universality of free fall (UFF) promise to exploit the full potential of these sensors due to long free-fall times, and to reach unprecedented sensitivity beyond current limits.
In this contribution, we present a simulator for satellite-based atom interferometry and demonstrate its functionality in designing the STE-QUEST mission scenario, a satellite test of the UFF with ultra-cold atoms to 10^-17 as proposed to the ESA Medium mission frame [https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.15412]. Moreover, we will highlight the possibility of this simulator to design Earth Observation missions going beyond state of the art such as the CARIOQA concept [https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.01215].
This work is supported by DLR funds from the BMWi (50WM2263A-CARIOQA-GE and 50WM2253A-(AI)^2).
How to cite: Struckmann, C., Rasel, E. M., Wolf, P., and Gaaloul, N.: Simulating space-borne atom interferometers for Earth Observation and tests of General Relativity, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 24–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-13280, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-13280, 2023.
