Magnetometry with a space-based differential atom interferometer

M Matthias Meister G Gabriel Müller P Patrick Boegel A Albert Roura A Annie Pichery D David B. Reinhardt T Timothé Estrampes J Jannik Ströhle E Enno Giese H Holger Ahlers W Waldemar Herr C Christian Schubert Éric Charron H Holger Müller (Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.) J Jason R. Williams E Ernst M. Rasel W Wolfgang P. Schleich N Naceur Gaaloul N Nicholas P. Bigelow

Abstract

Abstract Atom interferometers deployed in space are excellent tools for high precision measurements, navigation, or Earth observation. In particular, differential interferometric setups feature common-mode noise suppression and enable reliable measurements in the presence of ambient platform noise. Here we report on orbital magnetometry campaigns performed with differential single- and double-loop interferometers in NASA’s Cold Atom Lab aboard the International Space Station. By comparing measurements with atoms in magnetically sensitive and insensitive states, we have realized atomic magnetometers mapping magnetic field curvatures. Our results pave the way towards precision quantum sensing missions in space.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 17, Issue 1
Published July 11, 2026
ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher Nature Portfolio

Journal Info

Nature Communications

Nature Portfolio

ISSN: 2041-1723 Open Access Life Sciences

Authors (19)

M

Matthias Meister

G

Gabriel Müller

P

Patrick Boegel

A

Albert Roura

A

Annie Pichery

D

David B. Reinhardt

T

Timothé Estrampes

J

Jannik Ströhle

E

Enno Giese

H

Holger Ahlers

W

Waldemar Herr

C

Christian Schubert

Éric Charron

H

Holger Müller

Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.

J

Jason R. Williams

E

Ernst M. Rasel

W

Wolfgang P. Schleich

N

Naceur Gaaloul

N

Nicholas P. Bigelow