STE-QUEST -- Space Time Explorer and QUantum Equivalence principle Space Test: The 2022 medium-class mission concept

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.15412v4
• Date: Mon, 19 May 2025 17:56:54 GMT
• Title: STE-QUEST -- Space Time Explorer and QUantum Equivalence principle Space Test: The 2022 medium-class mission concept
• Authors: Naceur Gaaloul, Holger Ahlers, Leonardo Badurina, Angelo Bassi, Baptiste Battelier, Quentin Beaufils, Kai Bongs, Philippe Bouyer, Claus Braxmaier, Oliver Buchmueller, Matteo Carlesso, Eric Charron, Maria Luisa Chiofalo, Robin Corgier, Sandro Donadi, Fabien Droz, John Ellis, Frédéric Estève, Enno Giese, Jens Grosse, Aurélien Hees, Thomas A. Hensel, Waldemar Herr, Philippe Jetzer, Gina Kleinsteinberg, Carsten Klempt, Steve Lecomte, Louise Lopes, Sina Loriani, Victor Martín, Gilles Métris, Gabriel Müller, Miquel Nofrarias, Franck Pereira Dos Santos, Ernst M. Rasel, Mike Salter, Dennis Schlippert, Christian Schubert, Thilo Schuldt, Carlos F. Sopuerta, Christian Struckmann, Guglielmo M. Tino, Tristan Valenzuela, Wolf von Klitzing, Lisa Wörner, Nan Yu, Martin Zelan, Peter Wolf,
• Abstract summary: STE-QUEST mission aims to tackle three of the most fundamental questions in Physics.<n>It consists in a satellite mission featuring a dual-species atom interferometer operating over extended durations.<n>This mission aims to tackle three of the most fundamental questions in Physics: (i) testing the universality of free fall with an accuracy better than one part in $10-17$, (ii) exploring various forms of Ultra-Light Dark Matter, and (iii) scrutinizing the foundations of Quantum Mechanics.
• Score: 1.629326529374982
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Space-borne quantum technologies, particularly those based on atom interferometry, are heralding a new era of strategic and robust space exploration. The unique conditions of space, characterized by low noise and low gravity environments, open up diverse possibilities for applications ranging from precise time and frequency transfer to Earth Observation and the search of new Physics. In this paper, we summarise the M-class mission proposal in response to the 2022 call in ESA's science program: Space-Time Explorer and Quantum Equivalence Principle Space Test (STE-QUEST). It consists in a satellite mission featuring a dual-species atom interferometer operating over extended durations. This mission aims to tackle three of the most fundamental questions in Physics: (i) testing the universality of free fall with an accuracy better than one part in $10^{-17}$, (ii) exploring various forms of Ultra-Light Dark Matter, and (iii) scrutinizing the foundations of Quantum Mechanics.

Related papers

• An experimental platform for levitated mechanics in space [0.6959336820154619]
  This paper describes the development of a technology demonstrator for optical and magnetic trapping experiments in space. Our payload represents the first concrete step towards future missions with aims of probing fundamental physical questions.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-02-24T12:45:46Z)
• Graviton physics: Quantum field theory of gravitons, graviton noise and gravitational decoherence -- a concise tutorial [0.0]
  The detection of gravitational waves in 2015 ushered in a new era of gravitational wave astronomy capable of probing into the strong field dynamics of black holes and neutron stars. To fully appreciate these exciting developments requires a working knowledge in classical GR, QF theory and QI. This tutorial attempts to provide the necessary connections between them.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-05-20T05:16:12Z)
• Interferometry of Atomic Matter Waves in the Cold Atom Lab onboard the International Space Station [0.2551676739403148]
  NASA's Cold Atom Lab operates onboard the International Space Station as a multi-user facility for studies of ultracold atoms. Atom interferometers are a class of quantum sensors which can use freely falling gases of atoms cooled to sub-photon-recoil temperatures. A three-pulse Mach-Zehnder interferometer was studied to understand limitations from the influence of ISS vibrations. Ramsey shear-wave interferometry was used to manifest interference patterns in a single run that were observable for over 150 ms free-expansion time.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-02-22T16:41:00Z)
• Relaxation of first-class constraints and the quantization of gauge theories: from "matter without matter" to the reappearance of time in quantum gravity [72.27323884094953]
  We make a conceptual overview of an approach to the initial-value problem in canonical gauge theories. We stress how the first-class phase-space constraints may be relaxed if we interpret them as fixing the values of new degrees of freedom.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-02-19T19:00:02Z)
• Testing the nonclassicality of gravity with the field of a single delocalized mass [55.2480439325792]
  A setup is proposed that is based on a single delocalized mass coupled to a harmonically trapped test mass. We investigate the in-principle feasibility of such an experiment, which turns out to crucially depend on the ability to tame Casimir-Polder forces.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-07-18T15:40:16Z)
• Quantum Science and the Search for Axion Dark Matter [91.3755431537592]
  The dark matter puzzle is one of the most important open problems in modern physics. Numerous precision experiments are searching for the three non-gravitational interactions of axion-like dark matter.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-04-24T02:52:56Z)
• Quantum Gravitational Sensor for Space Debris [0.0]
  We will establish a three dimensional model to describe the gravity gradient signal from an external moving object. We will then theoretically investigate the sensitivities using the matter-wave interferometer based on the Stern-Gerlach set-up. We will consider objects near Earth-based experiments and space debris in proximity of satellites.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-11-28T19:00:03Z)
• Perspective on Quantum Bubbles in Microgravity [40.448811194740536]
  The NASA Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) aboard the International Space Station has enabled the study of ultracold atomic bubbles. Cal experiments have been performed on CAL with an. rf-dressing technique; an alternate technique (dual-species interaction-driven bubbles) has also been proposed. Both techniques can drive discovery in the next decade of fundamental physics research in microgravity.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-11-09T10:55:49Z)
• MAQRO -- BPS 2023 Research Campaign Whitepaper [1.0876499088493214]
  The proposed MAQRO mission is to harness space for achieving long free-fall times, extreme vacuum, nano-gravity, and cryogenic temperatures. The proposed research campaign aims to advance the state of the art and to perform the first macroscopic quantum experiments in space.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-02-03T11:34:26Z)
• The Deep Space Quantum Link: Prospective Fundamental Physics Experiments using Long-Baseline Quantum Optics [38.70192555674464]
  The Deep Space Quantum Link mission concept enables a unique set of science experiments. Mission configurations include establishing a quantum link between the Lunar Gateway moon-orbiting space station and nodes on or near the Earth.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-11-30T17:35:05Z)
• Wave Functional of the Universe and Time [62.997667081978825]
  A version of the quantum theory of gravity based on the concept of the wave functional of the universe is proposed. The history of the evolution of the universe is described in terms of coordinate time together with arbitrary lapse and shift functions.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-10-18T09:41:59Z)
• Resolving the gravitational redshift within a millimeter atomic sample [94.94540201762686]
  Einstein's theory of general relativity states that clocks at different gravitational potentials tick at different rates. We measure a linear frequency gradient consistent with the gravitational redshift within a single millimeter scale sample of ultracold strontium.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-09-24T23:58:35Z)
• Quantum Physics in Space [0.0]
  Remarkably, a space-based environment may open many new avenues for exploring and employing quantum physics and technologies. We cover both the fundamental scientific questions that can be tackled with quantum technologies in space and the possible implementation of these technologies for a variety of academic and commercial purposes.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-08-03T12:29:22Z)
• Spin Entanglement and Magnetic Competition via Long-range Interactions in Spinor Quantum Optical Lattices [62.997667081978825]
  We study the effects of cavity mediated long range magnetic interactions and optical lattices in ultracold matter. We find that global interactions modify the underlying magnetic character of the system while introducing competition scenarios. These allow new alternatives toward the design of robust mechanisms for quantum information purposes.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-11-16T08:03:44Z)
• Gravitation and the Problem of Quantum Measurement [0.0]
  We consider the possibility that the goal of quantizing General Relativity should be abandoned in favor of Semiclassical Gravity. The quantum measurement problem is investigated in this context.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-10-27T17:42:25Z)
• Preferred basis, decoherence and a quantum state of the Universe [77.34726150561087]
  We review a number of issues in foundations of quantum theory and quantum cosmology. These issues can be considered as a part of the scientific legacy of H.D. Zeh.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-06-28T18:07:59Z)
• Atom-interferometric test of the universality of gravitational redshift and free fall [48.82541018696971]
  Light-pulse atom interferometers constitute powerful quantum sensors for inertial forces. We present a specific geometry which together with state transitions leads to a scheme that is sensitive to both violations of the universality of free fall and gravitational redshift.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-01-27T13:35:30Z)
• Proposal for an optical interferometric measurement of the gravitational red-shift with satellite systems [52.77024349608834]
  Einstein Equivalence Principle (EEP) underpins all metric theories of gravity. The iconic gravitational red-shift experiment places two fermionic systems, used as clocks, in different gravitational potentials. A fundamental point in the implementation of a satellite large-distance optical interferometric experiment is the suppression of the first-order Doppler effect. We propose a novel scheme to suppress it, by subtracting the phase-shifts measured in the one-way and in the two-way configuration between a ground station and a satellite.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2018-11-12T16:25:57Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.