The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, led by UNESCO, is off to a strong start with a significant achievement from researchers at TU Darmstadt’s Institute of Applied Physics. Their latest findings on dichroic mirror pulses have been published in Physical Review Research, showcasing a novel approach to enhancing quantum sensor precision.
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Dichroic mirror pulses function like velocity-selective traffic controllers for atoms, directing those with the correct velocity toward detection while allowing unwanted particles to disperse.
Quantum sensors, known for their ability to surpass conventional sensors in precision, play a crucial role in fields such as earth observation, navigation, material testing, and biomedical analysis. Researchers at TU Darmstadt have now developed and tested a technique that further refines these sensors, enhancing their accuracy.
Quantum sensors rely on the wave-like nature of atoms, using quantum interference to measure accelerations and rotations with remarkable precision. However, their effectiveness depends on optimized beam splitters and atom mirrors. Unintended atomic reflections can introduce noise, compromising measurement accuracy.
To address this, TU Darmstadt scientists have designed specialized light pulses that act as velocity-selective atom mirrors. These pulses reflect only the desired atoms while allowing unwanted ones to pass through, effectively reducing noise and improving measurement precision.
This technique is particularly valuable for next-generation quantum sensors, which explore exceedingly high-velocity transfers to boost sensitivity. However, these high velocities also introduce additional parasitic atomic paths that can interfere with results. The research teams at TU Darmstadt have developed a solution to mitigate these side effects.
One key advantage of their approach is its seamless integration into existing systems. By incorporating dichroic mirror pulses, researchers worldwide can push the boundaries of precision measurements, advancing both fundamental quantum physics research and practical quantum sensor applications.
Journal Reference:
Pfeiffer, D., et al. (2025) Dichroic mirror pulses for optimized higher-order atomic Bragg diffraction. Physical Review Research. doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012028