Precision interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates

Nowadays inertial sensing with atom interferometers has reached a great level of maturity. Several limits on a wider application of cold-atom-based inertial sensors are imposed by the size of the devices and the short coherence times of the sources. A new generation of matter-wave interferometers utilizing Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) is continuously making the latter statement less severe. Autonomous, compact and high-flux BEC machines are realized and push forward the use of atomic sensors thanks to the source intrinsic coherence. A spectacular boost in the performance of high-precision tests of fundamental theories is expected when such sensors are considered in the ideal conditions of micro-gravity platforms and satellite missions.