MAIUS-1 - Creating the first Bose-Einstein condensate in space

Paper number

IAC-18,A2,1,14,x47926

Author

Mr. Hauke Müntinga, Germany, ZARM University of Bremen

Coauthor

Dr. Jens Grosse, Germany, University of Bremen - ZARM

Coauthor

Ms. Maike Diana Lachmann, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Stephan Seidel, Germany, OHB System AG - Oberpfaffenhofen

Coauthor

Mr. Dennis Becker, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Ortwin Hellmig, Germany, University of Hamburg

Coauthor

Dr. Andrè Wenzlawski, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Aline N. Dinkelaker, Germany, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Coauthor

Mr. Vladimir Schkolnik, Germany, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Coauthor

Dr. Thijs Wendrich, Germany, University Hannover

Coauthor

Mr. Holger Ahlers, Germany, Leibniz Universiät Hannover

Coauthor

Mr. Benjamin Weps, Germany, DLR (German Aerospace Center)

Coauthor

Prof. Claus Lämmerzahl, Germany, ZARM Fab GmbH

Year

2018

Abstract

On its maiden flight on Jan 23, 2017 the MAIUS-1 mission was able to demonstrate the first creation
of a Bose-Einstein Condensate in space.
During  about  360  s  of  microgravity,  around  100  experiments  were  carried  out  to  characterize  the
behaviour of the condensate and its usability for atom interferometry in this environment.
To achieve these goals in the limited timeframe of a sounding rocket flight, the payload was equipped
with an autonomous control system.  The system was designed to optimize the experiment and decide on
the next experimental sequences based on environmental conditions and previous experimental results.
This includes an image evaluation algorithm and a model-based description of the experimental sequences
available.

In this talk, we will give an overview of the scientific results, and a detailed description of hardware
and software of the control system.

Abstract document

IAC-18,A2,1,14,x47926.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-18,A2,1,14,x47926.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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