Development of a compact atomic accelerometer

Abstract

Precise acceleration measurement is essential in applications like inertial navigation, where accuracy and reliability are vital. Classical accelerometers, though compact, suffer from long-term instability and drifts, leading to cumulative inaccuracies. Cold atom-based accelerometers provide drift-free, absolute measurements with exceptional precision, but their bulky design poses challenges for mobile deployment. This thesis presents a compact, transportable quantum accelerometer using ultracold Rubidium-87 atoms. Driven by a 780 nm laser, the system adopts a compartmentalized design housed in a movable aluminum frame for enhanced spatial efficiency and portability. Key accomplishments include the setup of the 2D magneto optical trap (MOT) and optimization of the Raman module, where diffraction efficiencies of approximately 70% for single-pass and 40% for double-pass acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) were achieved. This project mark a step toward realizing deployable quantum sensors for precision measurement.