Tracking the vector acceleration with a hybrid quantum accelerometer triad.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 36351013.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.add3854 and PMC identifier 9645711.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC.
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Abstract
Robust and accurate acceleration tracking remains a challenge in many fields. For geophysics and economic geology, precise gravity mapping requires onboard sensors combined with accurate positioning and navigation systems. Cold atom-based quantum inertial sensors can potentially provide these high-precision instruments. However, current scalar instruments require precise alignment with vector quantities. Here, we present the first hybrid three-axis accelerometer exploiting the quantum advantage to measure the full acceleration vector by combining three orthogonal atom interferometer measurements with a classical navigation-grade accelerometer triad. Its ultralow bias permits tracking the acceleration vector over long time scales, yielding a 50-fold improvement in stability (6 × 10<sup>-8</sup> <i>g</i>) over our classical accelerometers. We record the acceleration vector at a high data rate (1 kHz), with absolute magnitude accuracy below 10 μ<i>g</i>, and pointing accuracy of 4 μrad. This paves the way toward future strapdown applications with quantum sensors and highlights their potential as future inertial navigation units.