Towards a compact large-momentum transfer cold atom gravimeter

Cold atom gravimeters are capable of probing sensitivities beyond state-of-the-art classical sensors and there is recent progress towards realizing compact, field deployable quantum gravimeters [1]. In atomic fountains, high sensitivity towards gravitational perturbations requires long baselines and interrogation times which are both contrary to the physical restraints of an ideally fast and compact sensor. Large-momentum transfer via multi-pulse sequences is an alternative method to improve the sensitivity to gravity [2]. We present an experimental pathway that employs a rubidium-85 atomic fountain with an interferometry region of length 22 cm to explore the requirements for large-momentum transfer to improve the sensitivity of quantum gravimeters. We discuss our apparatus and progress towards testing a variety of multi-pulse sequences such as two-photon Raman transitions and Bragg diffraction with two independent, high-power, phase-locked CW lasers.

[1] Narducci et al., Advances in Physics: X, 7(1) (2022)

[2] Müller et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 180405 (2008)