The LKB atom interferometry group (also at SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris) develops cold atom inertial sensors including the world's best gyroscopes and gravimeters. Key research (Geiger, Landragin et al.): (1) interleaved cold atom gyroscope with 3.75 Hz sampling and 800ms interrogation (record sensitivity); (2) cold atom gradiometer for gravity gradient mapping; (3) atom chip-based compact sources for inertial navigation; (4) quantum optimal control for robust matter-wave sensing. QAFCA project (PEPR Quantique) on quantum sensors for geoscience and navigation. Note: The main PI is Remi Geiger (CNRS) / Arnaud Landragin, both at SYRTE/Observatoire de Paris (PSL), but LKB atom interferometry team is at ENS site.
Buchmueller is the lead PI of the AION consortium (~Β£10M funded by UKRI/STFC), leading Imperial's ultracold strontium lab developing single-photon large-momentum-transfer atom interferometry on the Sr clock transition. Key achievements: prototype Sr differential atom interferometer operating at the Standard Quantum Limit with laser noise rejection demonstrated (arXiv 2504.09158, Apr 2025); AION-10 technical design report published (Aug 2025). Buchmueller also leads the AEDGE space mission concept for the European Space Agency, seeking to deploy a km-scale Sr atom interferometer in space for dark matter and mid-frequency gravitational wave detection. Deeply involved in MAGIS-100 partnership (Fermilab) and Cold Atoms in Space community building with 130+ proponents. Active in CMS Collaboration at CERN.
Caldwell is a Royal Society University Research Fellow establishing the Molecular Quantum Matter Lab at UCL. Research directions: (1) Precision molecular spectroscopy for dark matter and fifth-force searches β measuring isotope shifts in molecular systems to test Standard Model predictions and probe new forces between neutrons and electrons; (2) Quantum control of molecules in external fields β laser cooling, Stark deceleration, and magneto-optical trapping of polar molecules; (3) Molecular beam spectroscopy with frequency comb referencing for ultra-high-precision lineshape measurements. The lab aims to build the most precise molecular spectrometer for BSM physics searches. Actively building the lab and seeking motivated students/postdocs.
Clade works on atom-recoil interferometry, using Bloch-oscillation-enhanced light-pulse atom interferometers to measure the photon recoil velocity of atoms with extreme precision, from which the fine-structure constant is extracted as one of the most stringent tests of QED and the Standard Model. This precision-metrology approach is a core exemplar of atom-interferometric quantum sensing at LKB.
Alex Clark's group works at the interface of quantum science and technology, focusing on: (1) quantum imaging with undetected photons (mid-IR sensing at 3.28 Β΅m using CMOS cameras and entangled photons β QIUP technique); (2) single-molecule photon sources (molecules coupled to nanophotonic cavities); (3) quantum memory protocols (ORCA and ATS in atomic vapours for telecom-band photon storage); (4) integrated photonics for quantum sensing. Director of QET Labs; Work Package Leader in three UK Quantum Technology Hubs.
Cotter leads the Quantum Navigation research stream at Imperial's Centre for Cold Matter. He develops compact, fieldable cold-atom inertial sensors for GPS-denied navigation. Milestones: first demonstration of a cold-atom accelerometer on the London Underground (measuring acceleration/vibration in a real transit environment); successful field trials of quantum inertial sensors aboard the Royal Navy research ship XV Patrick Blackett (2023); Arctic field trials with Royal Navy (2025). His sensors use magnetically launched cold-atom Rb clouds and simultaneous multi-axis interferometry. He also contributes to AION-related atom interferometry work and the Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing. Department of Materials cross-appointment.
Experimental AMO physicist focused on precision measurement for fundamental physics. Primary directions: (1) ACME experiment measuring electron electric dipole moment to unprecedented precision using ThO molecular beam β tests for new CP-violating physics beyond the Standard Model; (2) ultracold polar molecule quantum simulation and quantum information in optical tweezers. Atomic coherence techniques underpin SERF/OPM magnetometry. Joined UChicago from Yale 2022.
Foot leads the Ultracold Quantum Matter group and is one of the two Oxford physics PIs co-leading the AION project at Oxford. His group develops laser-cooled strontium atom sources with the ultranarrow Sr-87 clock transition for large-scale single-photon atom interferometry. Near-term goals include the AION-10, a 10-m baseline vertical atom interferometer currently under construction in the Beecroft Building stairwell, targeting dark matter searches and mid-band gravitational wave detection. Foot's group also studies non-equilibrium 2D quantum gas physics (BKT transition, vortex dynamics) using matter-wave interferometry. AION is linked to MAGIS-100 at Fermilab.
Tim Freegarde's Quantum Control group develops atom interferometric sensors and matter-wave optics. Research: (1) optimal Raman pulse design for cold atom inertial sensors β geometric approach to Ο-pulse optimisation and robust control; (2) matter-wave interferometric velocimetry of cold atom clouds; (3) point-source interferometry for real-time scale-factor calibration of cold atom gyroscopes; (4) large-area atom interferometry. Part of the UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Metrology. Director of the CDT in Quantum Technology Engineering.
RΓ©mi Geiger (CNRS DR, SYRTE/Observatoire de Paris; IUF 2020) leads atom interferometry for inertial sensing. Research: (1) interleaved cold-atom gyroscope β world record 3.75 Hz sampling rate with 801ms interrogation time; (2) EQUIP-G Horizon Europe project for quantum gravimeter network deployment across Europe (2025); (3) ESA ODIN gyroscope for X-ray space mission; (4) entangled-atom tests of Einstein equivalence principle. Key figure in precision cold-atom inertial sensors. Note: formally at SYRTE (PSL/Obs. Paris), entered under ENS (same PSL network).