Hannover 2010 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 55: Poster II

Q 55.39: Poster

Thursday, March 11, 2010, 16:00–19:00, Lichthof

A fiber-based femtosecond frequency comb for precision measurements in microgravity — •Andreas Resch, Claus Lämmerzahl, and Sven Herrmann — Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM), Universität Bremen

We use a compact fiber-based femtosecond frequency comb in the microgravity environment of the Bremen drop tower at ZARM to explore possible applications in precision experiments, both earthbound and space-based. To this end we have acquired a frequency comb that was designed specifically for the use in a drop tower experiment.

The prospective application of this frequency comb is in an experiment that tests the universality of free fall from a differential measurement of a dual species atom interferometer. Due to the extended time of free fall available in the microgravity environment of the drop tower, and ultimately on board the International Space Station, the sensitivity of such an atom interferometer will be significantly enhanced as compared to earthbound laboratory experiments. The frequency comb will be used to establish a phase-link between the Raman lasers of the two atom interferometers and thus enable a precision measurement of the differential phase of the atom interferometers.

Here we present the current status of the experiment aiming tophase-link lasers at 780 nm and 767 nm in a drop tower experiment. We also discuss the perspectives for further microgravity applications of optical frequency combs. We acknowledge support by the German Space Agency DLR with funds provided by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) under grant number DLR 50 WM 0842.