Determining the tilt of the Raman laser beam using an optical method for atom gravimeters

The tilt of a Raman laser beam is a major systematic error in precision gravity measurement using atom interferometry.The conventional approach to evaluating this tilt error involves modulating the direction of the Raman laser beam and conducting time-consuming gravity measurements to identify the error minimum.In this work,we demonstrate a method to expediently determine the tilt of the Raman laser beam by transforming the tilt angle measurement into characterization of parallelism,which integrates the optical method of aligning the laser direction,commonly used in freely falling corner-cube gravimeters,into an atom gravimeter.A position-sensing detector(PSD)is utilized to quantitatively characterize the parallelism between the test beam and the reference beam,thus measuring the tilt precisely and rapidly.After carefully positioning the PSD and calibrating the relationship between the distance measured by the PSD and the tilt angle measured by the tiltmeter,we achieved a statistical uncertainty of less than 30μrad in the tilt measurement.Furthermore,we compared the results obtained through this optical method with those from the conventional tilt modulation method for gravity measurement.The comparison validates that our optical method can achieve tilt determination with an accuracy level of better than 200μrad,corresponding to a systematic error of 20μGal in g measurement.This work has practical implications for real-world applications of atom gravimeters.

Calibration of a compact absolute atomic gravimeter

Compact atomic gravimeters are the potential next generation precision instruments for gravity survey from fundamental research to broad field applications.We report the calibration results of our home build compact absolute atomic gravimeter USTC-AG02 at Changping Campus,the National Institute of Metrology(NIM),China in January 2019.The sensitivity of the atomic gravimeter reaches 35.5μGal/√Hz(1μGal=1×10-8 m/s2)and its long-term stability reaches 0.8μGal for averaging over 4000 seconds.Considering the statistical uncertainty,the dominant instrumental systematic errors and environmental effects are evaluated and corrected within a total uncertainty(2σ)of 15.3μGal.After compared with the reference g value given by the corner cube gravimeter NIM-3A,the atomic gravimeter USTC-AG02 reaches the degree of equivalence of 3.7μGal.

Movable precision gravimeters based on cold atom interferometry

High precision atom interferometers have shown attractive prospects in laboratory for testing fundamental physics and inertial sensing.Efforts on applying this innovative technology to field applications are also being made intensively.As the manipulation of cold atoms and related matching technologies mature,inertial sensors based on atom interferometry can be adapted to various indoor or mobile platforms.A series of experiments have been conducted and high performance has been achieved.In this paper,we will introduce the principles,the key technologies,and the applications of atom interferometers,and mainly review the recent progress of movable atom gravimeters.

Calibration of the superconducting gravimeter based on a cold atom absolute gravimeter at NIM

The scale factor of a superconducting gravimeter(SG) is usually calibrated by using simultaneous and co-located gravity measurements with the FG5-type absolute gravimeter(AG). In this paper, another new kind of absolute gravimetercold atom gravimeter(CAG) is first reported to calibrate the SG. Five-day side-by-side gravity measurements have been carried out by using our CAG(NIM-AGRb-1) to calibrate the SG(iGrav-012) located at Changping Campus of the National Institute of Metrology(NIM) of China. A weighted least-squares method is applied to determine the scale factor and the result is given as(-928.01 ± 0.73) nm·s^(-2)·V^(-1) with a precision of 0.79‰. We have demonstrated that a calibration precision of 1‰ level can be achieved after 3 days of parallel observations at spring tide. The obtained calibration results are then compared with the previous calibration by FG5 X-249, which shows that the calibration precision obtained by using NIM-AGRb-1 was slightly higher than FG5 X-249 with the same time interval. The factors affecting the calibration precision are analyzed in the calibrations by means of different AGs. Finally, several calibration experiments for SG iGrav-012 are discussed. The final scale factor is estimated as(-927.58 ± 0.36) nm·s^(-2)·V^(-1) with an accuracy of 0.39‰. Our main results demonstrate that the CAGs can be used for high-precision calibrations of SGs.

Investigation of the thermal adaptability for a mobile cold atom gravimeter

The cold atom gravimeter offers the prospect of a new generation of inertial sensors for field applications. We ac- complish a mobile atom gravimeter. With the compact and stable system, a sensitivity of 1.4× 10-7 g.Hz-1/2 is achieved. Moreover, a continuous gravity monitoring of 80 h is carried out. However, the harsh outdoor environment is a big challenge for the atom gravimeter when it is for field applications. In this paper, we present the preliminary investigation of the thermal adaptability for our mobile cold atom gravimeter. Here, we focus on the influence of the air temperature on the performance of the atom gravimeter. The responses to different factors （such as laser power, fiber coupling efficiency, etc.） are evaluated when there is a great temperature shift of 10 ℃. The result is that the performances of all the factors deteriorate to different extent, nevertheless, they can easily recover as the temperature comes back. Finally, we conclude that the variation of air temperature induces the increase of noise and the system error of the atom gravimeter as well, while the process is reversible with the recovery of the temperature.

Michelson laser interferometer-based vibration noise contribution measurement method for cold atom interferometry gravimeter

The measurement performance of the atom interferometry absolute gravimeter is strongly affected by the ground vibration noise.We propose a vibration noise evaluation scheme using a Michelson laser interferometer constructed by the intrinsic Raman laser of the atomic gravimeter.Theoretical analysis shows that the vibration phase measurement accuracy is better than 4 mrad,which corresponds to about 10-^10 g accuracy for a single shot gravity measurement.Compared with the commercial seismometer or accelerometer,this method is a simple,low cost,direct,and fully synchronized measurement of the vibration phase which should benefit the development of the atomic gravimeter.On the other side,limited by equivalence principle,the result of the laser interferometer is not absolute but relative vibration measurement.Triangular cap method could be used to evaluation the noise contribution of vibration,which is a different method from others and should benefit the development of the atomic gravimeter.

Effect of Raman-pulse duration related to the magnetic field gradient in high-precision atom gravimeters

The effect of the Raman-pulse duration related to the magnetic field gradient, as a systematic error, is playing an important role on evaluating the performance of high-precision atomic gravimeters. We study this effect with a simplified theoretical model of the time-propagation operator. According to the typical parameters, we find that this effect should be taken into account when the gravimeter reaches an accuracy of 10^-10g, and the larger the pulse duration is, the more obvious the systematic effect will be. Finally, we make a simple discussion on the possibility of testing this effect.

Tilt adjustment for a portable absolute atomic gravimeter

For an atomic gravimeter,the measured value of the Earth’s gravity acceleration g is the projection of the local gravity on the direction of Raman laser beams.To accurately measure the g,the Raman laser beams should be parallel to the g direction.We analyze the tilt effect of the Raman beams on g measurement and present a general method for the tilt adjustment.The systematic error caused by the tilt angle is evaluated as 0(+0,0.8)µGal(1µGal=10 nm/s^2)and the drift is also compensated in real time.Our method is especially suitable for the portable atomic gravimeter which focuses on the mobility and field applications.

An introduction to Bragg diffraction-based cold atom interferometry gravimeter

This paper presents a new type of cold atom interferometry gravimeter based on Bragg diffraction,w hich is able to increase the gravity m easurem ent sensitivity and stability of com m on Ram an atom gravim eters significantly. By com paring w ith Ram an transition,the principles and advantages of Bragg diffraction-based atom gravim eters have been introduced. The theoretical m odel for a tim e-dom ain Bragg atom gravim eter has been constructed. Som e key technical requirem ents for an n-order Bragg diffraction-based atom gravim eter have been deduced,including the tem perature of atom cloud,the diam eter,curvature radius,frequency,intensity,and tim ing sequence of Bragg lasers,etc. The analysis results are verified by the existing experim ental data in discussion. The present study provides a good reference for the understanding and construction of a Bragg atom gravim eter.

Participation in the absolute gravity comparison with a compact cold atom gravimeter

The first Asia-Pacific Comparison of Absolute Gravimeters(APMP.M.G-K1) was organized by the National Institute of Metrology(NIM) of China from December 21, 2015 to March 25, 2016 in Changping, Beijing. Our compact cold atom gravimeter(CCAG) was transported from Hangzhou to Beijing with a long distance of about1200 km to participate in this comparison. The CCAG is the only one, to the best of our knowledge, that is based on the principle of atom interferometry among all the instruments. Absolute gravity in the indicated three test sites has been measured as requested by the organizer. The sensitivity of our CCAG is estimated to be90 μGal∕Hz p, even when the measurements are carried out without any vibration isolation. Besides, the accuracy of this gravimeter has been evaluated to be about 19 μGal by considering the significant system errors.Our results show a good agreement with the given reference value.

重力加速度的量子测量仪器——原子干涉绝对重力仪

重力加速度是一个随时间和空间变化的物理量,在资源勘探、大地测量、计量科学等领域有非常重要的应用。重力仪是用来获取重力数据的仪器,根据标度因子获取方式的不同分为相对重力仪与绝对重力仪。绝对重力仪的测量数据能够跨越时空直接比较与应用,因此更受关注。原子干涉绝对重力仪由于没有机械磨损,可以集高精准、长连续的绝对重力测量于一身。文章将简要介绍原子干涉绝对重力仪的基本原理、物理实现、性能指标、国内外进展以及未来发展等内容。

Portable atomic gravimeter operating in noisy urban environments

The gravimeter based on atom interferometry has potential wide applications on building gravity networks and geophysics as well as gravity assisted navigation. Here, we demonstrate experimentally a portable atomic gravimeter operating in the noisy urban environment. Despite the influence of noisy external vibrations, our portable atomic gravimeter reaches a sensitivity as good as 65 μGal/√Hz and a resolution of 1.1 μGal after 4000 s integration, being comparable to state-of-the-art atomic gravimeters. Our achievement paves the way for bringing the portable atomic gravimeter to field applications.

Vibration compensation of an atom gravimeter

For most atom interferometers, the vibration isolation unit is applied to reduce vibration noise. In our experiment, instead of isolation, the vibration signals are monitored, and combining with the sensitive function, the compensation phase shift for the atom interferometer is obtained. We focus on the correction over a wide spectrum rather than on "monochromatic" frequencies. The sensitivity of the atom gravimeter can be upgraded by a factor of more than two. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the atom interferometer can still produce a good measurement result without passive vibration isolation in extremely noisy environments by using vibration compensation.

大动态范围原子干涉重力仪研究进展

精确重力信息在国防建设、导航制导、灾害预报、资源勘探、地球科学、考古学及基础科学研究等众多领域都具有广泛的应用价值,原子干涉绝对重力仪作为新一代高精度绝对重力仪,具有超越激光干涉绝对重力仪的测量潜能和应用场景普适性,能够填补只有航空相对重力测量的空白,在空间分辨率较低的卫星重力测量技术与传统地面流动相对重力测量技术之外提供了一种高效的机载绝对重力动态连续测量新技术。首先概述了高精度相对重力仪和绝对重力仪的最高指标、激光和原子干涉绝对重力仪的工作特点和研究现状,指出了原子干涉绝对重力仪走向大规模实际应用的主要方式和亟需解决的瓶颈难题;然后聚焦“大动态范围原子干涉重力仪技术”,介绍了经典三脉冲原子干涉重力仪的测量原理并讨论了其动态测量范围受到限制的机理,随后重点综述了增大原子重力仪动态范围的4种技术方案及各自优劣势;最后总结了原子干涉重力仪的发展趋势。

基于原子重力仪的车载静态绝对重力测量

目前大多数原子重力仪的装置复杂、体积庞大、环境适应性差,不能应用于野外进行绝对重力测量,这限制了原子重力仪的应用领域.本文利用自研的小型化原子重力仪,集成了一套车载绝对重力测量系统.该系统主要由原子重力仪、被动平台隔震系统、位姿平台调平系统、差分GPS测高系统、不间断电源供电系统及车载空调温控系统等组成.首先,本文对该测量系统的车载环境适应性进行了评估,发现在野外40℃高温、8°大倾角普通路面的环境下,该系统仍然能够正常工作;其次,介绍了车载绝对重力测量的实验步骤及数据处理方法,并测量了车头朝向对绝对重力测量的影响.最后,在野外平坦路面上进行了重复测线工作,评估了系统的内符合绝对重力测量精度,结果约为30μGal;在野外大倾角山体路面,通过测量不同海拔高度点的绝对重力值,得到了地球的垂直重力梯度值,约为-231(36)μGal/m.本文结果为野外绝对重力勘测提供了依据.

绝对重力仪研究的最新进展

经典绝对重力仪和原子干涉绝对重力仪是目前国际上研制用来直接测量重力加速度值的主要精密计量仪器．经典绝对重力仪测量的相对不确定度可达到2×10(-9)；原子干涉绝对重力仪一分钟测量的相对不确定度可达到3×10(-9)，两天测量的相对不确定度可达到1×10(-10)．本文分别介绍了经典绝对重力仪和原子干涉绝对重力仪的测量原理及方法，重点介绍了国际上新出现的凸轮式绝对重力仪．还简单介绍了中国计量科学研究院在这一方面研究的最新进展．

大倾斜角度下基于冷原子重力仪的绝对重力测量

冷原子重力仪的倾斜角会对绝对重力测量产生显著的影响.高精度的绝对重力测量需要对重力仪的倾斜角进行精确的测量、控制及校正.本文从理论上分析了四种不同情况下倾斜对绝对重力测量的影响规律,并在实验上对得到的理论进行了实验验证.基于此,设计了一种基于双倾斜计的绝对重力测量方案,主要是为了解决恶劣测量环境下的冷原子重力仪倾斜漂移问题.此方案利用高精度倾斜计记录放置在被动隔振平台上的拉曼反射镜的倾斜角度,并使用另外一个倾斜计监控真空系统的倾斜,以实现振动噪声的抑制和倾斜的高精度测量.基于自研的小型化冷原子重力仪,对该方案进行了实验验证,并最终实现了车间复杂环境下的高精度绝对重力测量.由于倾斜得到精确测量和补偿,冷原子重力仪的测量精度达到了12.3μGal.本文为复杂环境下的高精度绝对重力测量提供了一种可行的方案,为冷原子重力仪的实用化提供了参考数据.

微伽级冷原子重力仪研究

在石油及矿产勘探和地质构造研究等领域,重力法是一种常用的重要方法,重力法的应用范围在很大程度上取决于重力测量设备—重力仪,高精度重力仪对重力法的应用和普及起着重要作用。因此提出研究有望用于物探领域的高精度小型化冷原子重力仪。首先,用改进的磁场线圈代替昂贵且笨重的坡莫合金来实现杂散磁场的屏蔽;其次,利用一个紧凑且小尺寸的被动隔振平台来实现地面振动的抑制。在探询时间为120 ms且重复率为2.2Hz的情况下,该冷原子重力仪的重力测量灵敏度达到1.0×10-7g/Hz1/2;1 000 s积分时间,重力测量分辨率为5.7×10-9g。为了验证冷原子重力仪设备的稳定性,不间断测量了128 h的潮汐信号。除此之外,发生在2013年9月28号巴基斯坦的一小时地震波信号被我们的高精度冷原子重力仪采集到,该信号与附近的传统地震仪测量到的地震波信号完全吻合。

关于绝对重力仪的发展和我们的思考

介绍了近年来出现的新型绝对重力仪 ,认为该仪器是控制地球重力场信息的重要工具 .特别对FG5型的如何改进及我国绝对重力仪的如何发展 。

布拉格衍射型冷原子干涉重力仪关键实验条件分析

介绍了一种基于n阶布拉格衍射的新型冷原子干涉重力仪,可以进一步提高现有拉曼跃迁型原子干涉重力仪的测量灵敏度和稳定度。在介绍布拉格衍射型原子干涉重力仪基本原理的基础上,建立了原子平行驻波入射的时间型布拉格衍射冷原子干涉重力仪理论模型,分析了实验所需的关键条件,包括原子团纵向温度、布拉格激光直径、曲率半径、频率、强度以及时序等。与已有实验数据的对比结果表明:所建模型合理,所得结论能够为实际构造一台布拉格衍射型冷原子干涉重力仪提供有意义的指导。