Studies of general relativity with quantum sensors

G. Lefevre (1) , G. Condon (1) , I. Riou (1) , L. Chichet (1) , M. Essayeh (1) , M. Rabault (1) , L. Antoni-Micollier (1) , N. Mielec (2) , D. Holleville (2) , L. Amand (2) , R. Geiger (2) , A. Landragin (2) , M. Prevedelli , B. Barrett (1) , B. Battelier (1) , A. Bertoldi (1) , B. Canuel (1, 3) , P. Bouyer (1)

1 LP2N - Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences
2 SYRTE - Systèmes de Référence Temps Espace
3 LSBB - Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit

We present two projects aiming to probe key aspects of the theory of General Relativity with high-precision quantum sensors. These projects use cold-atom interferometry with the aim of measuring gravitational waves and testing the equivalence principle. To detect gravitational waves, a large multi-sensor demonstrator is currently under construction that will exploit correlations between three atom interferometers spread along a 200 m optical cavity. Similarly, a test of the weak equivalence principle is currently underway using a compact and mobile dual-species interferometer, which will serve as a prototype for future high-precision tests onboard an orbiting satellite. We present recent results and improvements related to both projects.

Mots clés: atom: interferometer; cavity: optical; gravitational radiation; gravitational radiation detector; equivalence principle; general relativity

Domaines: Physique Générale [physics.gen-ph]; Relativité Générale et Cosmologie Quantique [gr-qc]

G. Lefevre, G. Condon, I. Riou, L. Chichet, M. Essayeh, et al.. Studies of general relativity with quantum sensors. 52nd Rencontres de Moriond on Gravitation, Mar 2017, La Thuile, Italy. pp.105-115. ⟨hal-01797848⟩