Quantum Accelerometry Based on a Geometric Phase

A conceptual model of a promising quantum accelerometer based on a two-mode atomic Bose–Einstein condensate has been proposed. Acceleration generates a specific difference in geometric phases between the condensate modes, which shifts the interference pattern of matter waves. The modes have ring configurations, in the plane of which the measured acceleration vector lies. The homogeneity of the potentials of the ring configurations is interrupted by additional localized potentials generated by defects. Under the variation of the parameters of appropriately located defects with a certain structure, the wavefunctions of the condensate modes acquire geometric phases that differ in the presence of acceleration. Calculations performed for ring configurations of the condensate of 87 Rb atoms with a radius of 0.25 mm has showed that the proposed scheme can detect a microgravity of ~10 –6 –10 –7 g .