Compact High-Resolution Absolute-Gravity Gradiometer Based on Atom Interferometers

Measurement of the absolute-gravity gradient is of great significance in metrology, geophysics, and industries such as autonomous navigation. However, its applications are limited by the dimensions of the gradiometer and the complicated systematic errors. The authors present a high-resolution atom-gravity gradiometer with an ultracompact sensor head, and develop a series of technologies to comprehensively evaluate the systematic errors. This work will have an impact on the calibration of gravimetry instruments, correction of inertial navigation errors, and direct onboard high-precision mapping.