Laser system for a network of entangled atomic clocks
Abstract
The generation and manipulation of highly non-classical many-body states is a long-sought goal in the field of quantum metrology. Su,ch control enables the operation of novel quantum sensors significantly beyond their standard quantum limit (SQL). These sensors can, be applied to precise metrology and sensing applications, ranging from precise timekeeping for boosted navigation systems to the de,tection of fluctuations in the gravitational potential.We are requesting lasers systemsto upgrade our existing experiment on quantum, enhanced metrology with an optical clock that is being supported by DoD through ONR and DARPA. By combining techniques developed un,der these grants, and using equipment from this DURIP grant, we will substantially push forward the fields of precise sensing, timek,eeping, and the search for newphysics.The proposed research builds upon techniques recently demonstrated by our group. By loading an,d cooling atoms inside a high-finesse optical cavity, we are able to generate and manipulate strong entangled many-body states in ul,tracold atomic ensembles. These states carry extraordinarily high statistical information, approaching the maximum prescribed by the, quantum theory for maximally entangled states, the Heisenberg Limit. Using, the same strong interaction between optical cavity and, atoms, we are able to use the strong statistical advantages of these states to performmetrology experiments far beyond the SQL. Mor,eover, we have recently successfully coherently transferred an entangled state to an optical clock transition. Thanks to these new t,ools we will i) demonstrate performance of an optical atomics clock near its Heisenberg Limit and ii) extend the entanglement to spa,tially separated optical atomic clocks operating beyond the collective standard quantum limit to demonstrate the first prototype of, an entangled network of clocks.We will readily apply these results to the field of precise metrology. In particular, we plan to sen,se variations in the gravitational potential over small distances, on the order of millimeters. The new technologies to be developed, are expected to have a broad range of applications ranging from testing the fundamentsof gravity to the search of gravitational ano,malies from manmade structures. Furthermore, the same apparatus will be used to measure the frequencies of the atomic optical clock, transitions of different isotopes with unprecedented sensitivity. Combining these measurements with results already obtained in Yb+,, new bounds on dark matter in an intermediate mass range will be set.Ultraprecise timekeeping and inertial sensing below the SQL ar,e central to many DoD missions. Highly entangled optical atomic clocks will boost the timekeeping precision with consequent signific,ant improvement in navigation systems, both GPS-based and inertial. Moreover, entanglement-enhanced metrology is also expected to ha,ve large impact in other quantum sensing applications of interest to DoD, such as the detection of gravitational anomalies both from, manmade structures, or of natural origin. The project will provide training for several graduate and undergraduate students on tech,niques and technology relevant to DoD needs.Approved for public release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 05, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212304
Entities
People
- Vladan Vuletić
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy