In a significant advancement for quantum sensing technology, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have successfully created a device that can measure acceleration in three dimensions simultaneously using ultracold atoms—something many scientists previously thought impossible.
The research team, led by graduate student Kendall Mehling, postdoctoral researcher Catie LeDesma, and JILA professor Murray Holland, published their findings this month in the journal Science Advances. Their work represents a major step forward in quantum navigation technology.
The device works by cooling rubidium atoms to temperatures just billionths of a degree above absolute zero, creating a quantum state called a Bose-Einstein Condensate. In this state, the atoms form coherent matter waves that can be manipulated with extreme precision. Using six lasers as thin as a human hair, the team pins these atoms in place, then splits them into quantum superpositions where each atom exists in two places simultaneously.
Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in the system's operation. The researchers employed machine learning algorithms to manage the complex process of adjusting the lasers to manipulate the atoms. "The AI plans out the sequence of laser adjustments required, streamlining what would otherwise be an impossibly elaborate trial-and-error process," explained Professor Holland.
While current GPS and electronic accelerometers dominate navigation systems, they suffer from mechanical wear and environmental vulnerabilities over time. Atoms, by contrast, do not age or degrade, offering long-term stability and robustness. This quantum device could eventually enable navigation in environments where GPS signals are unavailable, such as underwater, underground, or in space.
The technology has attracted significant interest, with NASA awarding the team a $5.5 million grant in 2023 through its Quantum Pathways Institute to continue developing the sensor. Beyond navigation, the device could revolutionize geological surveys, tests of fundamental physics, and autonomous vehicle guidance systems. Though currently bench-sized and less sensitive than commercial technologies, the researchers are optimistic about improving its performance and reducing its size in the coming years.