Atoms are an incredibly versitile tool for both studies of fundamental physics and for the development of sensitive sensors. In this talk, I will discuss two experiments with very different end goals, but which are both based on very similar experimental techniques.
First, I will discuss progress in the construction of a quantum gas microscope for erbium atoms (Greiner Group, Harvard University). In quantum gas microscopes, ultracold atoms are placed in an optical lattice to create an artificial crystal, and are imaged with single-atom precision. This allows us to simulate models from condensed matter physics with unprecedented control over the model parameters. Highly dipolar atoms like erbium present an exciting opportunity to extend previous quantum gas microscope experiments to more complex systems influenced by long range, anisotropic interactions.
I will then transition to discussing a system at Draper that similarly starts with ultracold atoms, but that works in a regime where interactions are a systematic error rather than the star player. This atomic sensor uses the cloud of atoms as millions of completely identical freely-falling test masses with which to measure accelerations and rotations. The identical nature of any two atoms of the same isotope makes the atomic sensor extremely stable. When combined with fast but comparatively unstable MEMS accelerometers and fiber gyroscopes, the complete package has the benefits of both speed and stability.