Description
Robust and accurate tracking of acceleration remains a challenging problem in many fields. For geodesy, geophysics or underground exploration, precise mapping of gravity requires the use of onboard gravimeters or gradiometers as well as inertial navigation systems to compute accurate positioning information from classical accelerometers and gyroscopes. Quantum sensors based on cold-atom interferometry hold enormous potential to provide such high-precision instruments. However, these inherently scalar sensors must be precisely aligned with the acceleration vector of interest. In this work, we present the first three-axis accelerometer exploiting the quantum advantage to measure the full acceleration vector (magnitude and direction). We demonstrate a high data rate (1 kHz) sensor with a magnitude accuracy below 10 $\mu g$, and a pointing accuracy of 4 $\mu$rad relative to each axis. This is achieved by sequentially applying three atom interferometer sequences along the mutually-orthogonal axes of a triad. By integrating navigation-grade classical accelerometers on each axis, we construct a compact and robust hybrid vector accelerometer. We characterize the ultra-low bias of our triad and track the gravitational acceleration vector over long timescales. We demonstrate a stability of $6 \times 10^{-8}~g$ on the vector norm after 24 h. This corresponds to a 50-fold improvement over that provided by our classical accelerometers. This paves the way toward future strapdown applications with quantum sensors and highlights their potential as future high-grade, inertial navigation units.
| Presenter name | Brynle Barrett |
|---|---|
| How will you attend ICAP-27? | I am planning on in-person attendance |
