Missions

The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in the European project CARIOQA PMP and will lead tests to perform atom interferometers on microgravity platforms.

Activités

He will contribute to the definition and the analysis of a future Pathfinder mission. He will also define the specifications of the instrument, and participate to the design. He will lead a series of tests to demonstrate experimentally the key elements of the future Space atom accelerometer: collimated atom sources with ultra-low velocity dispersion, atom interferometry with long interrogation times, detection of very dilute gases, study of systematic effects…. Finally, his expertise in atom interferometry in microgravity will benefit the CARIOQA consortium for the tests which will be performed on the Engineering Model.

Compétences

Candidates must hold an internationally recognized PhD degree (or evidence of its completion in the nearest future) based on experimental work, preferably in the areas of ultracold quantum gases, atom interferometry, quantum optics. We seek a highly motivated candidate with experimental background and theoretical skills in modelling cold atoms experiments.

Contexte de travail

The European project CARIOQA PMP aims to develop the Engineering Model of an atom accelerometer for Space. These quantum sensors are also seriously considered for Earth gravity surveys. Studies about potential geodesy missions benefiting from the high sensitivity and accuracy of cold atom interferometers are led by the space agencies (CNES et ESA).