arXiv subjects

Dong-Feng Gao

Publications and source records attributed to Dong-Feng Gao.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

In-orbit Test of the Weak Equivalence Principle with Atom Interferometry

The Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP) is a central pillar of general relativity. Its precise test with quantum systems in space offers a unique window onto new physics. Here we report the first in-orbit quantum test of the WEP. A dual-species (85Rb/87Rb) atom interferometer is realized aboard the China Space Station. Methods of platform motion suppression, fluorescence detection switching, and two-photon detuning switching are developed to eliminate phase noise and improve measurement accuracy. A test uncertainty of 2.8*10-8 is obtained from 280 days of WEP test data, and a test result of (-3.1+/-4.6)*10-7 is achieved after error estimation. This improves prior atom-interferometric WEP tests in microgravity by three orders of magnitude. This work paves the way for space-borne quantum inertial sensors and their application to future fundamental physics in space.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2019

ZAIGA: Zhaoshan Long-baseline Atom Interferometer Gravitation Antenna

The Zhaoshan long-baseline Atom Interferometer Gravitation Antenna (ZAIGA) is a new type of underground laser-linked interferometer facility, and is currently under construction. It is in the 200-meter-on-average underground of a mountain named Zhaoshan which is about 80 km southeast to Wuhan. ZAIGA will be equipped with long-baseline atom interferometers, high-precision atom clocks, and large-scale gyros. ZAIGA facility will take an equilateral triangle configuration with two 1-km-apart atom interferometers in each arm, a 300-meter vertical tunnel with atom fountain and atom clocks mounted, and a tracking-and-ranging 1-km-arm-length prototype with lattice optical clocks linked by locked lasers. The ZAIGA facility will be used for experimental research on gravitation and related problems including gravitational wave detection, high-precision test of the equivalence principle of micro-particles, clock based gravitational red-shift measurement, rotation measurement and gravito-magnetic effect.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2019

United test of the equivalence principle at $10^{-10}$ level using mass and internal energy specified atoms

We use both mass and internal energy specified rubidium atoms to jointly test the weak equivalence principle (WEP). We improve the four-wave double-diffraction Raman transition method (FWDR) we proposed before to select atoms with certain mass and angular momentum state, and perform dual-species atom interferometer. By combining $^{87}$Rb and $^{85}$Rb atoms with different angular momenta, we compare the differential gravitational acceleration of them, and determine the value of Eötvös parameter, $η$, which measures the strength of the violation of WEP. For one case ($^{87}$Rb$|\emph{F}=1\rangle$ - $^{85}$Rb$|\emph{F}=2\rangle$),the statistical uncertainty of $η$ is $1.8 \times 10^{-10}$ at integration time of 8960 s. With various systematic errors correction, the final value is $η=(-4.4 \pm 6.7) \times 10^{-10}$. Comparing with the previous WEP test experiments using atoms, this work gives a new upper limit of WEP violation for $^{87}$Rb and $^{85}$Rb atom pairs.

quant-ph↗