Gravity gradient sensing on moving platforms with quantum technology

原子干涉测量法利用原子的波状性质对惯性力（如重力）进行超精确测量。最近尺寸的减小使得这些传感器可以在现场部署，几次调查突出了它们在探测地下重力异常（如隧道、下沉孔、含水层和公用管道）方面的应用。作为这一努力的一部分，伯明翰大学的量子传感小组开发了一种便携式重力梯度仪，最近发现了埋在公路下面的隧道。该系统对与现场相关的系统影响（特别是地面振动）具有很强的弹性，有可能在高分辨率地下重力测绘中开辟新的应用领域。下一个关键挑战是在动态条件下操作传感器，使我们能够进行重力梯度图匹配的新调查，这是一种能够抵御卫星导航损失的导航工具。为了实现这一目标，该项目将展示在移动平台上进行的几次试验的结果，包括首次在海上船舶上进行重力梯度测量的演示。该系统在实验室和试验中进行了广泛的表征，以便更好地了解这些传感器在下一阶段的发展中需要克服的挑战。此外，还开始了提高移动平台上量子传感器性能的工作，包括高带宽测量方法以及干涉测量光束的最佳时间相位控制。这项工作还将评估这些技术在现实条件下的局限性，推进路线图，以提高鲁棒性和实用性，与应用相关的演示。

Atom interferometry uses the wave-like nature of atoms to perform ultra-precise measurements of inertial forces, such as gravity. Recent reductions in form factor have allowed these sensors to become field-deployable with several surveys highlighting their use for detecting gravitational anomalies beneath out feet such as tunnels, sink holes, aquifers and utility pipes. As part of this push, the Quantum Sensing group at the University of Birmingham has developed a portable gravity gradiometer which recently detected a tunnel buried underneath a road. The system is exceptionally resilient to field-relevant systematic effects, particularly ground vibration, with a potential to open up new applications in high-resolution sub-surface gravity mapping. One of the next key challenges is to operate the sensor in dynamic conditions, allowing us to conduct new surveys for gravity gradient map matching, a navigational tool which is resilient against loss of satellite navigation. As a step towards this, this project will present results from several trials on moving platforms including the first demonstration of gravity gradiometry measurements operating on a maritime vessel at sea. The system was characterised extensively in the laboratory and on trials in order to get a better understanding of the challenges these sensors will need to overcome in the next stage of their development. In addition, work has begun on enhancing the performance of quantum sensors on moving platforms, including high-bandwidth measurement approaches as well as optimal temporal phase control of the interferometry beams. This work will also assess the limitations of these techniques in real-world conditions, progressing the roadmap to increased robustness and practical, application-relevant demonstrations.