Ultra-cold atoms trapped on bubble-shaped or ring-shaped surfaces could become the most sensitive rotation sensors ever built. This project uses theoretical calculations to design and understand these exotic atomic traps, where atoms are cooled to within a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero. A bubble trap is already operating on the International Space Station, and ring traps have been built in laboratories. The research focuses on three geometries: atoms on spherical shells, atoms guided around rings, and atoms held in a small number of potential wells. It will examine how vortices form and behave in these systems, and explore Sagnac interferometry—a technique that measures rotation by splitting an atomic wave and recombining it around a closed loop. If successful, this work could lead to navigation systems that do not rely on GPS, which is vulnerable to jamming or loss of signal. It could also improve tilt sensing and gravitational mapping for infrastructure monitoring or geophysical surveys. The project is fundamental science, but ultra-cold atom sensors are a recognised quantum technology challenge with clear engineering pathways.
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This project concerns theoretical and numerical calculations which will be closely linked to experimental activity with ultra-cold atoms (at micro-Kelvin or nano-Kelvin temperatures). Three different topologies will be part of the project with potential applications to high precision rotations sensing, tilt sensing, gravitational sensing and other potential applications. We will consider ultra-cold atoms trapped on shell surfaces or bubble surfaces, atoms trapped, or guided in rings and atoms trapped in a small number of potential wells. A bubble trap is currently active on the International Space Station Cold Atom Experiment and ring traps for cold atoms have been made by a number of experimental groups. Sussex has expertise in designing bubble and ring traps using magnetic and electro-magnetic fields. Consideration of Bose- Einstein condensates (BECs) will be given: a BEC gives a particularly strong overlap and correlation of atomic matter. The project will examine designs, excitations and the behaviour of vortices in the two principal topologies. It is expected that there will be collaboration with experimentalists and and attention will be given to issues arising from the potential, or actual, realisation of the systems being studied. Interferometry around a ring, or Sagnac interferometry, is a Quantum Technology challenge which can potentially be used for rotation sensing and will be explored in this project together with other approaches.
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