NASA conducted the first “ultra-cold” quantum sensor experiment in space

Cold atoms were used in space for the first time

NASA, to measure gravity, magnetic fields, and other forces in space It aims to use quantum technology. The space agency is on board the International Space Station (ISS) to measure vibrations in its orbital laboratory using ultracold atoms for the first time. atom interferometresi tested a brand new vehicle called.

Although atomic interferometers were used on Earth, they were thought to be too fragile to operate for long periods of time in space. But scientists have used atom interferometers using NASA’s Cold Atom Laboratory (a facility the size of a mini refrigerator on the ISS). It is possible to use it in space proved it. Scientists take advantage of microgravity longer measurement duration and higher device sensitivity has reached.

Space-based sensors that can measure gravity with high precision have many potential applications, according to NASA. For example, in our Solar System composition of planets and moons They can occur because different materials have different densities, creating subtle differences in gravity. Such measurement is already being carried out by the US-German collaboration GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on), which detects subtle changes in gravity to track the movement of water and ice on Earth. An atom interferometer can reveal more details about surface mass changes, providing additional sensitivity and stability.

Could solve the mystery of dark matter and dark energy

However, atomic interferometry in the Cold Atom Laboratory is Einstein’s general theory of relativity It can also be used to test in new ways. Although general relativity is the fundamental theory that explains the large-scale structure of the universe, scientists say there are aspects of the theory that they do not understand correctly. It is thought that with this technology, these gaps can be filled and a more complete picture can be obtained.

launched in 2018

The Cold Atom Laboratory was launched to the space station in 2018. Laboratory atoms are reduced to near absolute zero or to minus 273 degrees Celsius (Which is colder than space itself; space has a temperature of minus 270.4 degrees) It cools with lasers. At these ultracold temperatures, atoms form a fifth state of matter (as opposed to solid, liquid, gas, or plasma) called a Bose-Einstein condensate, which makes some of the atoms’ quantum properties macroscopic rather than microscopic. As a result, we can say that it becomes easier to observe the properties of atoms.

Source

https://gizmodo.com/nasas-quantum-cold-atom-lab-just-made-space-even-cooler-literally-2000486530

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50585-6

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