US quantum tech tracks 3D acceleration to boost GPS-free navigation

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a novel quantum-based atom interferometer capable of measuring acceleration in three dimensions (3D), a significant advancement over traditional accelerometers that measure acceleration only in one dimension. The device uses six ultra-thin lasers and tens of thousands of rubidium atoms cooled to near absolute zero to create a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC), placing atoms in a superposition state. By manipulating these atoms with lasers and analyzing their interference patterns, the interferometer can precisely detect acceleration without the aging issues that affect conventional electronic sensors like those used in GPS systems. This compact system, roughly the size of an air hockey table, represents an engineering breakthrough with potential applications in spacecraft, submarines, and vehicles for GPS-free navigation. The researchers employed artificial intelligence to manage the complex laser operations required to split and recombine the atom clouds. Currently, the device can detect accelerations thousands of times smaller than Earth’s gravity, and the team anticipates further improvements. This technology