Compact atom interferometry based gravity gradiometry using novel techniques.

量子传感器在实现对环境噪声（如振动）的卓越灵敏度和鲁棒性方面提供了相当大的希望。在重力传感领域，这有可能为快速检测埋藏或隐藏的物体或特征（如管道、隧道）或未来的危险（如简易爆炸装置或地雷）提供破坏性能力。该领域最近的工作重点是推动技术的发展，并展示量子传感器在该领域的应用，伯明翰大学进行了重力梯度仪的现场试验。一个特殊的挑战仍然是实现量子技术设备的尺寸、重量、功率和成本与小型无人机的应用相匹配，例如用于具有挑战性的环境或探测危险目标，如简易爆炸装置。本项目的重点是开发量子技术重力梯度传感器的尺寸、重量和功率的减小技术。目标是实现重力梯度传感器的物理和系统概念，在小于50l体积，10kg和100W功率的情况下，同时减轻对性能的影响，并将这些技术应用于伯明翰大学正在建造的演示器。学生将接受有关原子干涉测量、重力梯度传感的量子传感器以及控制、激光、光子学和真空技术的实验技术的培训。他们将研究新颖的物理概念，例如使激光功率降低10倍。

Quantum sensors offer considerable promise in realising exceptional sensitivity and robustness against environmental noise such as vibration. In the domain of gravity sensing, this has the potential to offer disruptive capability in the rapid detection of buried or hidden objects or features, such as pipes, tunnels, or in future hazards such as IEDs or mines. Recent work within the field has focused on a push towards improving technology readiness, and demonstrating the use of quantum sensors in the field, with the University of Birmingham performing field trials of gravity gradiometers. A particular challenge remains in realising quantum technology devices of size, weight, power and cost commensurate with applications on small UAVs - for example for use in challenging environments or to detect hazardous targets such as IEDs. This project focuses on the development of techniques for the reduction of size, weight and power for quantum technology gravity gradient sensors. The aim is to enable a physics and systems concept for a gravity gradient sensor within less than 50l volume, 10kg and 100W of power while mitigating impacts upon performance, and to apply these techniques to a demonstrator under construction at the University of Birmingham. The student will be trained on atom interferometry quantum sensors for gravity gradient sensing and in experimental techniques in control, laser, photonics and vacuum technologies. They will study novel physics concepts such as to enable a 10-fold reduction in laser power.