Compact atom interferometry based gravity gradiometry using novel techniques.

量子传感器在实现对振动等环境噪声的卓越灵敏度和鲁棒性方面具有相当大的潜力。在重力传感领域，这有可能在快速探测埋在地下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）方面提供破坏性能力。该领域最近的工作重点是推动提高技术准备程度，并展示量子传感器在该领域的使用，伯明翰大学正在进行重力梯度仪的现场试验。一个特殊的挑战仍然是实现与小型无人机应用相称的尺寸，重量，功率和成本的量子技术设备-例如用于具有挑战性的环境或检测危险目标，如IED。该项目的重点是为量子技术重力梯度传感器开发减小尺寸、重量和功率的技术。其目的是实现重力梯度传感器的物理和系统概念，体积小于50 l，功率为10 kg和100 W，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设的演示器。学生将接受原子干涉量子传感器重力梯度传感和控制，激光，光子学和真空技术的实验技术的培训。他们将研究新的物理概念，例如将激光功率降低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.