Laser-based prototype probes cold atom dynamics (Vol. 51, No. 2)

A new prototype design doubles the frequencies of widely used telecommunications lasers to study the dynamics of cold atoms while in space.

By tracking the motions of cold atom clouds, astronomers can learn much about the physical processes which play out in the depths of space. In this work, an innovative prototype for a new industrial laser system is presented that paves the way for development of cold atom inertial sensors in space.

R. Caldani, S. Merlet, F.P. Dos Santos, G. Stern, A. Martin, B. Desruelle, V. Ménoret, A prototype industrial laser system for cold atom inertial sensing in space, European Physical Journal D 73, 248 (2019)
[Abstract]