Description du sujet de thèse

The aim of this thesis is to develop multi-function/multi-axis inertial sensors for inertial navigation. The core of their physical support is a cold atom chip, a device that offers significant integration potential. So, to make embedded applications possible with a chip, we'll be working on the design, realization and qualification of key enabling subassemblies for compact sensors-on-a-chip.
In this thesis, we'll be looking at how to make the essential elements of a cold atom inertial sensor compact. These include the light sources used to generate the splitter and mirror pulses, and the multiplexing of Bragg and Raman pulses to select the atom interferometer to be used. Indeed, the realization of a sensor with trapped or magnetically guided atoms requires Bragg pulses to keep the atoms in a trapping state. On the other hand, Raman transitions are also useful in obtaining an atomic source with a high degree of coherence.
This thesis therefore combines an experimental part focusing on the transportability of a cold atom sensor, with a more modular part of both an experimental and theoretical nature, leaving room for both innovative physics and the realization of a multifunction/multi-axis sensor with a view to its practical application to inertial navigation.

Contexte de travail

Thesis in SYRTE's (now LTE) Atomic Interferometry and Inertial Sensors team. The work is in line with our team's efforts to develop compact, transportable interferometers in collaboration with industry. It is based on the team's internationally recognized scientific experience in the field of atom interferometry.