Rostock 2019 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 37: Precision Measurements and Metrology II

Q 37.7: Talk

Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 15:30–15:45, S SR 111 Maschb.

MAIUS-2 and -3: Development and test of the scientific payload — •Baptist Piest, Maike Diana Lachmann, Wolfgang Bartosch, Dennis Becker, Waldemar Herr, Wolfgang Ertmer, and Ernst Maria Rasel — Leibniz Universität Hannover

Quantum tests of the Einstein equivalence principle (EEP) promise to outreach the accuracy of classical tests based on macroscopic test masses in the course of the next decade. Additionally, they offer to probe quantum aspects of the EEP which are inherently inaccessible for classical tests. Current limitations of ground-based tests using light-pulse matter-wave interferometry are mainly given by the maximum pulse separation time T and the terrestrial environment. A promising approach to overcome this limitation is to perform the experiments in extended free fall, e.g. on a satellite. In 2017, the sounding rocket experiment MAIUS-1 succeeded in generating the first BECs in space using Rb-87 atoms and demonstrated further key methods needed for an EEP test in space. The missions MAIUS-2 and -3 aim to demonstrate BEC-borne dual-species matter wave interferometry with K-41 and Rb-87. This talk gives an overview of the experimental setup, its capabilities and technical limitations and the ongoing experiments on ground.

The MAIUS project is supported by the German Space Agency DLR with funds provided by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) under grant number: 50WP1431.