Description
Simulating space-borne atom interferometers for Earth Observation and tests of General Relativity
Christian Struckmann, Ernst M. Rasel, Peter Wolf, Naceur Gaaloul
Quantum sensors based on the interference of matter waves provide an exceptional performance to test the postulates of General Relativity by comparing the free-fall acceleration of matter waves of different composition. Space-borne quantum tests of the universality of free fall (UFF) promise to exploit the full potential of these sensors due to long free-fall times, and to reach unprecedented sensitivity beyond current limits.
In this contribution, we present a simulator for satellite-based atom interferometry and demonstrate its functionality in designing the STE-QUEST mission scenario, a satellite test of the UFF with ultra-cold atoms to 10^-17 as proposed to the ESA Medium mission frame [https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.15412]. Moreover, we will highlight the possibility of this simulator to design Earth Observation missions going beyond state of the art such as the CARIOQA concept [https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.01215].
This work is supported by DLR funds from the BMWi (50WM2263A-CARIOQA-GE and 50WM2253A-(AI)^2).
