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arXiv · 1004.5290

A cold atom pyramidal gravimeter with a single laser beam

Quentin Bodart·Sébastien Merlet·Nicola Malossi·Franck Pereira Dos Santos·Philippe Bouyer·Arnaud Landragin
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Abstract

We demonstrate a scheme for realizing a compact cold atom gravimeter. The use of a hollow pyramidal configuration allows to achieve all functions: trapping, interferometer and detection with a unique laser beam leading to a drastic reduction in complexity and volume. In particular, we demonstrate a relative sensitivity to acceleration of gravity (g) of 1.7 x 10-7 at one second, with a moderate laser power of 50 mW. This simple geometry combined to such a high sensitivity opens wide perspectives for practical applications (P. Bouyer and A. Landragin, patent number FR2009/000252, 2009).

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Quentin Bodart, Sébastien Merlet, Nicola Malossi, Franck Pereira Dos Santos, Philippe Bouyer, Arnaud Landragin. 2010-04-29. A cold atom pyramidal gravimeter with a single laser beam. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3373917

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