Cold-Atom Precision Timing and Inertial Navigation
Space Vehicles Directorate, RV/Battle Space Environment
The subject of our research is precision timing and inertial sensing enabled by advances in atomic physics and photonics. One of our major efforts pursues the development of robust, miniaturized optical clocks including optical frequency combs. These portable clocks will provide a cost-effective replacement for the atomic clocks aboard the global positioning satellite constellation and will enable new applications of precision timing such as free-space optical time transfer.
Another major effort uses atom-chip devices to develop confined atom interferometry, which offers the possibility to dramatically increase the interrogation time of atom-based inertial sensing devices. We use a rapid prototyping technique for atom chips that allows us to quickly customize and live-test atom chip structures. We are also exploring techniques for developing compact atomic devices, including large-diameter hollow-core fiber guiding and integrated atom-chip transport. More recently, we have begun investigating the development of atom-chip-based continuously replenished (CR) Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). A CR BEC will be the leading steps into achieving a truly continuous-wave atom laser.
$3,000 Supplement for Doctorates in Engineering & Computer Science
Experience Supplement: Postdoctoral and Senior Associates will receive an appropriately higher stipend based on the number of years of experience past their PhD.