| The development and operation of a mobile atom interferometer for precision rotation rate, linear acceleration, and gravity gradient measurements is described. Different inertially and gravitationally sensitive configurations are explored using light-pulse matter wave interferometry in a dual atomic fountain. A four-pulse p2 - pi - pi - p2 gyroscope interferometer sequence is demonstrated, and the rotational sensitivity due to the Sagnac effect is evaluated. A proof-of-principle measurement of the Earth's rotation rate is made, with an accuracy of O/O E = 1.0007 +/- 0.0005. A technique for suppressing contributions from multiple interference paths resulting from inefficiencies in the atom optics is presented and implemented. Also, a method of using conventional inertial sensors to compensate for high frequency vibration noise in the optical delivery system, which currently limits the interferometer performance, is demonstrated. The sensitivity to linear accelerations using a three-pulse p2 - pi - p2 interferometer sequence is characterized by measuring the gravitational acceleration due to a test mass. A zero dead time scheme for continuous monitoring of a local oscillator in an atomic clock is demonstrated, and its extension to inertial measurements is discussed. New interferometer laser-pulse sequences are considered for a rotation rate measurement with the vibrationally-induced phase noise suppressed, and for a continuous differential velocity measurement for navigation applications. Filially, the parallel development of a compact laser system and control system is described. |
