GCC - Gravity Cartography Catalyst

长期以来，探测我们周围的世界一直是科学研究的基石，许多传感技术都是为了商业用途而开发的，而不是纯粹的科学价值。观察地下环境的能力仅限于破坏性的勘探技术，但近年来商用遥感器已变得更加普遍。然而，非破坏性方法可能会严重阻碍，地面特征可能会模糊，振动或电磁干扰可能会阻止测量。这些问题从根本上限制了现有的建筑和基础设施监测技术，因为昂贵的挖掘和场地封闭可能是不可能的。量子传感技术可以通过精确测量重力来克服这些障碍。通过冷原子干涉测量法，将铷原子的量子性质与激光束的相位进行比较，检测原子在真空中自由下落的非常小的变化。这些变化可以用来确定当地的重力加速度，暴露出你脚下的空洞、管道、隧道或石油和天然气储备的位置。最近的科学成就已经证明，原子干涉测量法是地下探测的宝贵工具，如地下隧道或管道（doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04315-3）。向量子传感器迈进的技术已经存在，并且已经在该领域得到了验证，但它需要商业工程技术，才能让那些没有经过高度专业培训的人日常使用。Delta Limited是一家新的量子初创公司，在利用第二代量子技术方面处于独特的地位，将向最终用户交付世界上第一个商用单按钮重力梯度仪。Delta g为现场测量带来了世界一流的量子重力梯度测量专业知识，并与伯明翰大学和QT传感器和定时中心直接联系，提供科学支持。来自多个行业的领导者将作为顾问或分包商参与其中，以提供关键项目能力。STL是一家工程咨询公司，在将深度技术量子引入商业领域方面经验丰富，将提供定制软件、控制和射频功能。世界领先的激光系统和组件制造商NKT Photonics将为GCC系统提供定制的COTS激光引擎。在最初的项目研讨会上，Delta g将展示之前试验的结果，这些结果将被用作基准，来自多个垂直行业的顾问小组将使用这些结果来定义项目的一组需求和成功标准。

Detecting the world around us has long been a cornerstone of scientific research, with many sensing technologies developed for commercial use rather than purely scientific merit.The ability to view the subterranean environment was limited to destructive exploratory techniques, but in recent years commercial remote sensors have become more widespread. However, nondestructive methods can be severely hindered, ground features can be obscured and vibration or electromagnetic interference can prevent measurements altogether. These issues fundamentally limit the existing technologies for construction and infrastructure monitoring due to costly excavation and site closures which may not be possible. Quantum sensing techniques can overcome these barriers with precision measurements of gravity. Through cold-atom interferometry the quantum nature of a rubidium atom is compared to the phase of a laser beam, detecting very small changes in how the atoms fall freely in a vacuum. These changes can be used to determine the local gravitational acceleration, betraying the location of voids, pipes, tunnels or oil and gas reserves beneath your feet. Recent scientific achievements have proven atom interferometry is an invaluable tool for subsurface detection of features like buried tunnels or pipelines (doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04315-3). The technology to make the step to quantum sensors already exists, and has been proven in the field, however it needs commercial engineering techniques to bring it into everyday use by those without highly specialised training. Delta g Limited, a new quantum start-up in a unique position to take advantage of this second-generation quantum technology, will deliver the world's first commercial single button gravity gradiometer into the hands of end-users. Delta g brings world class expertise in quantum gravity gradiometry for field measurements, with direct links to the University of Birmingham and the QT Hub for Sensors and Timing to provide scientific support. Leaders from multiple industries will be involved as advisors or subcontractors to deliver key project capabilities. STL, an engineering consultancy with experience in bringing deep tech quantum to the commercial sphere, will deliver bespoke software, control and RF capabilities. NKT Photonics, a world leading laser system and component manufacturer, will provide a customised COTS laser engine for the GCC system. At an initial project workshop Delta g will present the results of previous trials, these will then be used as a benchmark and a panel of advisors, from across multiple industrial verticals, will use this to define a set of requirements and success criteria for the project.