Because it’s quantum, duh. Quantum is like vitamins for physics !
Thatingles on
So just to explain why this is important / cool. Atom interferometry uses atoms (duh) to make extremely precise measurements of many things, but guess what? Because they use atoms, you have to account for gravity when building or using them. Because the atoms still have mass, they fall, and because these instruments are insanely sensitive small changes in gravity can mess with them.
Guess where there is less gravity? That’s right, on an orbiting space station. So the idea is that using these instruments on the ISS will give you better results than on earth.
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Because it’s quantum, duh. Quantum is like vitamins for physics !
So just to explain why this is important / cool. Atom interferometry uses atoms (duh) to make extremely precise measurements of many things, but guess what? Because they use atoms, you have to account for gravity when building or using them. Because the atoms still have mass, they fall, and because these instruments are insanely sensitive small changes in gravity can mess with them.
Guess where there is less gravity? That’s right, on an orbiting space station. So the idea is that using these instruments on the ISS will give you better results than on earth.