A team of researchers from France has developed the first three-directional hybrid quantum inertial sensor, which can measure acceleration without using satellite signals. At the heart of this breakthrough device is something called “matter wave interferometry,” which uses two distinct characteristics of quantum mechanics: wave-particle duality and superposition.

In the cloud

The device consists of a cloud of rubidium atoms that are cooled to temperatures nearing absolute zero. The atoms are placed in a vacuum and are in free fall due to gravity.

Once cooled, a series of three laser flashes are shone on the atoms, creating matter waves in the rubidium atoms. According to the laws of quantum mechanics, at extremely low temperatures, atoms do not behave like standard particles. They also behave as waves that can undergo diffraction and interference like light does.