Closed loop atomic inertial sensor

摘要

An apparatus for inertial sensing is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one atomic inertial sensor, and one or more micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors operatively coupled to the atomic inertial sensor. The atomic inertial sensor and the MEMS inertial sensors operatively communicate with each other in a closed feedback loop.

主权项

1. An apparatus for inertial sensing, the apparatus comprising:
at least one atomic inertial sensor; and one or more micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors operatively coupled to the at least one atomic inertial sensor through a calibration unit; a plurality of laser devices in optical communication with the at least one atomic inertial sensor and configured to generate optical pulses that are directed to the at least one atomic inertial sensor; wherein the calibration unit receives output signals from the at least one atomic inertial sensor and the one or more MEMS inertial sensors, and the at least one atomic inertial sensor receives output signals from the calibration unit, such that the at least one atomic inertial sensor and the MEMS inertial sensors operatively communicate with each other in a closed feedback loop; wherein the output signals from the calibration unit are used to shift a relative phase between atoms and the optical pulses from the laser devices in the at least one atomic inertial sensor, the optical pulses from the laser devices each having frequencies that are shifted until the at least one atomic inertial sensor has substantially all of its atoms returned to their initial phase, the initial phase being mapped by a final laser pulse onto a distribution of atoms within a ground state hyperfine manifold.