We demonstrate how simultaneously operated 39K–87Rb interferometers exhibiting a high level of correlation can be used to make competitive tests of the university of free fall. This work provides an overview of our experimental apparatus and data analysis procedure, including a detailed study of systematic effects. With a total interrogation time of ms in a compact apparatus, we reach a statistical uncertainty on the measurement of the Eötvös parameter of after s of integration. The main limitations of our measurements arise from a combination of wavefront aberrations, the quadratic Zeeman effect in 39K, parasitic interferometers in 87Rb, and the velocity sensitivity of our detection system. These systematic errors limit the accuracy of our measurement to . We discuss prospects for improvements using ultracold atoms at extended interrogation times.
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Testing the universality of free fall using correlated 39K–87Rb atom interferometers
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March 2022
Research Article|
February 09 2022
Testing the universality of free fall using correlated 39K–87Rb atom interferometers

Special Collection:
Celebrating Sir Roger Penrose's Nobel Prize
B. Barrett;
B. Barrett
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
2
Department of Physics, University of New Brunswick
, 8 Bailey Drive, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5A3, Canada
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G. Condon;
G. Condon
a)
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
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L. Chichet;
L. Chichet
b)
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
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L. Antoni-Micollier;
L. Antoni-Micollier
a)
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
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R. Arguel;
R. Arguel
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
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M. Rabault
;
M. Rabault
a)
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
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C. Pelluet;
C. Pelluet
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
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V. Jarlaud;
V. Jarlaud
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
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A. Landragin
;
A. Landragin
3
LNE-SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université
, 61 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France
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P. Bouyer
;
P. Bouyer
c)
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
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B. Battelier
B. Battelier
d)
1
LP2N, IOGS, CNRS and Université de Bordeaux, rue François Mitterrand
, 33400 Talence, France
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a)
Present address: Muquans, Institut d'Optique d'Aquitaine, rue François Mitterrand, 33400 Talence, France
b)
Present address: Teledyne e2v, 106 Waterhouse Ln, Chelmsford CM1 2QU, United Kingdom
d)
Electronic mail: baptiste.battelier@institutoptique.fr
Note: This paper is part of the special topic Celebrating Sir Roger Penrose's Nobel Prize.
AVS Quantum Sci. 4, 014401 (2022)
Article history
Received:
October 25 2021
Accepted:
January 12 2022
Citation
B. Barrett, G. Condon, L. Chichet, L. Antoni-Micollier, R. Arguel, M. Rabault, C. Pelluet, V. Jarlaud, A. Landragin, P. Bouyer, B. Battelier; Testing the universality of free fall using correlated 39K–87Rb atom interferometers. AVS Quantum Sci. 1 March 2022; 4 (1): 014401. https://doi.org/10.1116/5.0076502
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