Ultracold Atom Sensor Array with Variable Trajectories for Wide-Range Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold atom inertial sensors face challenges in achieving both high sensitivity and a wide measurement range, with existing hybridization techniques failing to leverage the benefits of both narrow and wide measurement range sensors effectively.
Innovation Solution
An ultracold atom measurement system comprising an array of inertial sensors on a chip, utilizing interferometry sequences to measure physical quantities by generating and moving atom traps along specific trajectories, with a processing unit applying interferometry sequences to subsets of sensors to measure the same quantity with varying trajectory parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a cold atom inertial sensor uses a narrow measurement range configuration for high sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but the measurement range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple cold atom inertial sensors, each configured with different trajectory parameters (such as different separation distances or travel times). This segmentation allows each sensor to specialize in a specific sensitivity range while collectively covering a wide measurement range, resolving the contradiction between high sensitivity and wide range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies trajectory parameters (separation distance, travel time, enclosed area) across different sensors in the array. By changing these parameters, each sensor achieves different sensitivity levels, enabling the system to maintain high sensitivity for specific measurements while providing wide overall measurement range through parameter diversity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional inertial sensors are used to extend measurement range, then measurement range is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cold atom inertial sensors with different trajectory configurations into a unified measurement system. This combination allows the system to leverage the high sensitivity of cold atom sensors across different parameter settings, achieving wide measurement range without sacrificing precision, unlike conventional sensors that inherently lack the sensitivity of cold atom technology.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybridization techniques combine cold atom and conventional sensors, then measurement range is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cold atom sensor platform where the same basic sensor architecture can be configured with different trajectory parameters to serve multiple measurement needs. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity compared to hybridization, as it uses a single type of sensor (cold atom) rather than combining different sensor technologies, while still achieving wide measurement range through parameter variation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high sensitivity and a wide measurement range by varying trajectory parameters in the interferometry sequences, allowing accurate measurement of accelerations and angular velocities.
Implementation Method 1
each sensor in the array being an interferometric sensor configured to measure a physical quantity by implementing an interferometry sequence
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The present invention relates to an ultracold atom measurement system (10), the measurement system (20) comprising: - an array of ultracold atom inertial sensors (14), each sensor (14) of the array being an interferometric sensor configured to measure a physical quantity by implementing an interferometry sequence, - a processing unit (22) configured to apply, for at least one subset of sensors, a respective interferometry sequence to each sensor (14) of a subset of sensors, the implementation of the respective interferometry sequences by said at least one subset of sensors (14) leading the sensors (14) of the subset to measure the same physical quantity with a trajectory followed during the movement varying from one sensor (14) of the subset to another sensor (14) of the subset by at least one parameter relating to the trajectory.