Rotation sensing with a dual atom-interferometer Sagnac gyroscope

We reports improvements to our Sagnac effect matter-wave interferometer gyr oscope, This device now has a short-term rotation-rate sensitivity of 6 x 1 0(-10) rad s(-1) over 1 s of integration, which is the best publicly report ed value to date. Stimulated Raman transitions are used to coherently manip ulate atoms from counterpropagating thermal beams, forming two interferomet ers with opposite rotation phase shifts, allowing rotation to be distinguis hed from acceleration and laser arbitrary phase. Furthermore, electronicall y compensating the rotation-induced Doppler shifts of the Raman lasers allo ws operation at an effective zero rotation rate, improving sensitivity and facilitating sensitive lock-in detection readout techniques. Long-term stab ility is promising but not yet fully characterized. Potential applications include inertial navigation, geophysical studies and tests of general relat ivity.