A space-based quantum gas laboratory at picokelvin energy scales

Ultracold quantum gases are ideal sources for high-precision space-borne sensing as proposed for Earth observation, relativistic geodesy and tests of fundamental physical laws as well as for studying new phenomena in many-body physics during extended free fall. Here we report on experiments with the Cold Atom Lab aboard the International Space Station, where we have achieved exquisite control over the quantum state of single 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensates paving the way for future high-precision measurements. In particular, we have applied fast transport protocols to shuttle the atomic cloud over a millimeter distance with sub-micrometer accuracy and subsequently drastically reduced the total expansion energy to below 100 pK with matter-wave lensing techniques.

Naceur Gaaloul, Matthias Meister, Robin Corgier, Annie Pichery, Patrick Boegel, Waldemar Herr, Holger Ahlers, Eric Charron, Jason R. Williams, Robert J. Thompson, Wolfgang P. Schleich, Ernst M. Rasel, Nicholas P. Bigelow