Differential atom interferometry with ⁸⁷Rb and ⁸⁵Rb for testing the UFF in STE-QUEST

2013/12/20 by Christian Schubert, Jonas T. Hartwig, Schubert, C +39
Physics and Astronomy · #81V45 #Advanced Frequency and Time Standards #Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph) #Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #FOS: Physical sciences #Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1312.5963

openalex publication_date 2013/12/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

In this paper we discuss in detail an experimental scheme to test the universality of free fall (UFF) with a differential ⁸⁷Rb / ⁸⁵Rb atom interferometer applicable for extended free fall of several seconds in the frame of the STE-QUEST mission. This analysis focuses on suppression of noise and error sources which would limit the accuracy of a violation measurement. We show that the choice of atomic species and the correctly matched parameters of the interferometer sequence are of utmost importance to suppress leading order phase shifts. In conclusion we will show the expected performance of 2 parts in 10¹⁵ of such an interferometer for a test of the UFF.

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