A quantum gravimeter has been developed at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI). The device will allow measurements of the slightest changes in the Earth's gravitational field, the university's press service reported.
The quantum gravimeter is an ultra-precise atomic clock. The device operates on strontium ions.
Strontium atoms are frozen to ultra-low temperatures using a laser. Then they are activated and emit pulses of light. The new development allows measuring time with an accuracy of up to 10 to the minus 16th power (up to one ten-quadrillionth of a second).
The device can measure not only time, but also the level of earth's gravity. The gravimeter tracks changes in the Earth's gravitational field with an accuracy of more than one millionth of a gal (a unit of acceleration measurement). This makes it more efficient than pendulum and ballistic gravimeters, whose accuracy ranges from one ten-thousandth to one hundred-thousandth of a gal.
Thus, the quantum gravimeter is more than ten times more accurate than non-quantum analogs with comparable sizes. However, quantum devices have significant miniaturization potential, albeit with a slight loss of accuracy relative to stationary quantum devices.
The unique gravimeter can be used in precision topography, navigation equipment, and geological exploration.
Earlier www1.ru reported that Russia will have its own gravimeter will appear.
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