Examining Einstein: Precise experiments using lasers and clocks in space

To test this theory-about-a-theory, project FOKUS funded by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) today launched a high-altitude research rocket to send various types of clocks into space and back again. This is where the most suitable experimental conditions are found because of the large gradient in the gravitational potential (gravity varies there a lot). This permits testing whether there really are differences in how clocks run -- and in the end, also whether one of the newer theories of gravity provides a more exact description than Einstein did. The first experiments in space have now been successfully carried out. A team of scientists launched an extremely stable quartz oscillator into space that ticks like a modern wrist-watch -- but at a very high frequency -- together with a complete laser system for purposes of comparison.

The centerpiece of the laser system is a micro-integrated semiconductor module that was developed and tested by the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höch-stfrequenztechnik (FBH) in Berlin. The integration of entire laser system took place at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin). The frequency of the semiconductor laser was stabilized by locking it to a specific electron transition of a rubidium atom in an advanced module developed by Universität Hamburg. These rubidium atoms in conjunction with the lasers provide an "optical atomic clock" that works according to a different physical principle that the quartz clock and "ticks" about ten million times faster than the quartz unit. To compare how the two clocks run, the company leading the project, Menlo Systems, is employing an optical frequency comb they developed.

The scientists demonstrated with the tests for the first time that these types of "optical atomic clocks" and the laser systems required for them can be employed in space for testing gravitational red shift and other precision measurements. The demanding demonstration of the technology also allowed them to lay the technical foundations for examining Einstein's equivalence principle using potassium and rubidium atomic interferometers under the MAIUS project. MAIUS is part of the QUANTUS mission funded by DLR in which new technologies involving quantum physics will be developed for cooling, entangling, and manipulating atoms. It should also advance miniaturizing the laser modules and testing a fully automated quantum sensor in space. The long-term objective in this case is to examine Einstein's equivalence principle by which the acceleration of a body by a gravitational field is independent of the nature of the body -- i. e. all objects subjected to the same gravity "fall at the same speed."

Compact and extremely robust diode laser modules for space from FBH

Countless drop-tower experiments at the Center of Applied Space Technology and Micro-gravity (ZARM), University of Bremen were used to prepare for the sophisticated experiment in space. The laser module was built at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut through the Joint Lab Laser Metrology together with the Optical Metrology research group at HU Berlin. The Joint Lab has been investigating and developing ultra-precise and extremely compact semiconductor laser modules for use in space for some time. Their centerpiece is a DFB (distributed feedback) laser that emits light in an extremely narrow wavelength or frequency region. This narrow spectral band characteristic is one of the main requirements for the laser module needed for spectroscopy of the rubidium atoms and the associated precision measurements. With the help of a unique hybrid micro-integration technique, the diode laser chip is assembled together with electronic and optical components into an exceedingly compact, space-certified package. The palm-sized modules absolutely have to operate flawlessly under the extremely harsh conditions of space. They are subjected to heavy mechanical loading during liftoff when the acceleration rises to eight times' that of Earth's gravity.

"Our integration techniques can even withstand up to 30-times' Earth's gravity," says Dr. Andreas Wicht, head of the Laser Metrology Group at FBH, who views his group as well-prepared for future challenges. "In addition, we are working on even narrower bandwidth lasers with a hybrid integrated optical amplifier that is highly suited to even more complex experiments." FBH is expanding its know-how in both the area of precision optical and spectroscopic measurements. These represent some of the most precise and exact measurement techniques of our time and will open up further applications.