Spin-squeezing-enhanced dual-species atom interferometric accelerometer employing large momentum transfer for precision test of the equivalence principle

We theoretically investigate the feasibility of applying spin squeezing to a light pulse atom interferometer in the presence of large momentum transfer using off resonant Raman transitions, in order to enhance the sensitivity of accelerometry close to the Heisenberg limit. We also show how to implement this scheme in a dual-species atom interferometer for a precision test of the equivalence principle by measuring the Eotvos parameter, and to identify the spin squeezing protocol that is best suited for such an experiment. For a space borne platform in low Earth orbit, such a scheme may eventually enable the measurement of the Eotvos parameter with a sensitivity of the order of 10-20 within 150 days when 105 atoms are employed in each cycle of the experiment.

Automated summary

In this paper, we theoretically investigate the feasibility of using off resonant Raman transitions to apply spin squeezing to a light pulse atom interferometer in the presence of large momentum transfer, in order to enhance the sensitivity of accelerometry close to the Heisenberg limit. We also demonstrate how this scheme can be implemented in a dual-species atom interferometer for a precision test of the equivalence principle by measuring the Eotvos parameter, and identify the optimal spin squeezing protocol for such an experiment. For a space borne platform in low Earth orbit, this scheme may eventually enable the measurement of the Eotvos parameter with a sensitivity of the order of 10-20 within 150 days when 105 atoms are employed in each cycle of the experiment.