Collaborative project Bose-Einstein condensates in microgravity

<p>Weightlessness promises to substantially extend the science of quantum gases towards nowadays inaccessible regimes of low temperatures, macroscopic dimensions of coherent matter-waves and longer times of unperturbed evolution.</p>
<p>Targeting the long-term goal of studying ultra-cold quantum gases on a space platform, the project Quantus currently focuses on the implementation of a ⁸⁷Rb BEC atom interferometer under microgravity conditions at the ZARM drop tower in Bremen (Germany). Special challenges in the construction of the experimental setup are posed by a low volume of the drop capsule ( < 1m³) as well as critical vibrations during capsule release and peak decelerations of up to 50g during recapture at the bottom of the tower. All optical and electronic components were thus been designed with stringent demands on their mechanical stability and reliability. This features of the system open new routes to quantum optics experiments also on other microgravity platforms, like ballistic rockets or the International Space Station.</p>