High-accuracy gravity measurement with miniaturized quantum gravimeter

Abstract

Gravity field is a basic physical field of the Earth. It carries and reflects much information of the Earth, which is very important for fundamental research and practical application. Since the earth’s gravity field changes with space and time, it needs to be measured by a mobile high-precision gravimeter. Quantum gravimeter is a new type of high-precision gravity measurement device developed in recent years and is based on atomic interference technology. Compared with traditional gravimeters, quantum gravimeters have better stability and accuracy, and can accurately survey the Earth’s gravitational field distribution. In this paper, the basic principle, experiment and application of quantum gravimeter are summarized, including the latest research results in the development and application of miniaturized quantum gravimeter at home and abroad; the basic principle of miniaturized quantum gravimeter, the development of core unit of miniaturized quantum gravimeter (such as vacuum chamber, laser system, vibration isolation system and measurement supporting system) and its application in gravity comparison, earthquake monitoring and gravity field mapping are introduced. Finally, the accuracy limitations of quantum gravimeter (such as Raman phase noise, vibration noise and detection noise) and the other fundmetal applications (measurement of Newton’s gravitational constant, weak equivalence principle) are presented. As a relatively mature technology in quantum sensors, quantum gravimeters show obvious advantages especially in dynamic measurement. In the future, with the development and maturity of miniaturized quantum gravimeters, it may also play an important role in geophysics, resource exploration, inertial navigation, and space gravity observation.