the einstein elevator IN THE SPOTLIGHTS
Another example is gravity field mapping of Earth from orbit using new types of high-precision measuring instruments . Technologies for fundamental physics experiments on board the ISS like Bose-Einstein condensates in the Cold Atom Laboratory are also progressing massively . Many newly developed research instruments are available , for example Bose-Einstein condensation on an atom chip , waiting to be used in future space missions . These sensor systems , classical as well as quantum-based , are currently gaining the necessary TRL for widespread use .
A new research group at LUH , emerged from the Institute of Transport and Automation Technology ( ITA ), the Institute of Quantum Optics and the QUEST-Leibniz Research School , is working on production technologies for use in new space missions such as powder-based additive manufacturing processes applicable on the Moon for production with the resources available on site , as well as metal powder processing in a microgravity environment to enable production of spare parts on board the ISS . The ITA / LUH have also been involved in the proposal of the large-scale research center “ ERIS ” ( European Research Institute for Space Resources [ 2 ]). Its goal is to achieve great innovation leaps in solving terrestrial problems by researching the challenging environmental conditions of the Moon . Members of the ITA / LUH are also a founding member of ERIS e . V ., which emerged independently from the funding of the large-scale research center , to promote progress in ISRU , among other things .
In close collaboration with colleagues from the Institute of Quantum Optics , the QUEST Leibniz Research School and the new DLR Institute for Satellite Geodesy and Inertial Sensing , quantum sensors are being developed for geodetic applications as well as the fundamentals for high-precision surveying of Earth and space with support of the area “ physical fundamental research ”. Current projects on fundamental research in quantum physics at the Einstein-Elevator are concerned with the search for dark energy , the demonstration of a source of entangled atoms in microgravity , and the development of low-noise sensors based on nanomagnets .
Acknowledgements The authors thank the DFG and the Lower Saxony state government for their financial support for building the Hannover Institute of Technology ( HITec ), the Einstein-Elevator ( NI1450004 , INST 187 / 624-1 FUGB ), and the DFG for funding the “ Hannover Center for Microgravity Research ” ( INST 187 / 801-1 ). This paper was prepared among other projects in the context of Quantum- Frontiers ( Cluster of Excellence ). n
References
[ 1 ] Lotz , C .; Froböse , T .; Wanner , A .; Overmeyer , L .; Ertmer , W .: Einstein- Elevator : A New Facility for Research from µ g to 5 g , Gravitational and Space Research 5 , 11 ( 2017 ), Nr . 2 ,
[ 2 ] Grigoleit , J .: ERIS – European Research Institute for Space Resources : Homepage , https :// space-resources . de / en ( 06.09.2022 )
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