Precision Rotation Measurements with an Atom Interferometer Gyroscope

Abstract

We report the demonstration of a Sagnac-effect atom interferometer gyroscope which uses stimulated Raman transitions to coherently manipulate atomic wave packets. We have measured the Earth's rotation rate, and demonstrated a short-term sensitivity to rotations of $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}(\mathrm{rad}/\mathrm{s})/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$.