Simultaneous dual-species matter-wave accelerometer

We report the realization of a matter-wave interferometer based on Raman transitions which simultaneously interrogates two different atomic species (Rb-87 and Rb-85). The simultaneous aspect of our experiment presents encouraging preliminary results for future dual-species atom interferometry projects and seems very promising by taking advantage of a differential acceleration measurement. Indeed, the resolution of our differential accelerometer remains lower than 3.9 x 10(-8) g even with vibration levels up to 1 x 10(-3) g thanks to common-mode vibration noise rejection. An atom-based test of the weak equivalence principle has also been carried out leading to a differential free fall measurement between both isotopes of Delta g/g = (1.2 +/- 3.2) x 10(-7).