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The sensing of gravity has emerged as a tool in geophysics applications such as engineering and climate research1–3, including the monitoring of temporal variations in aquifers4 and geodesy5. However, it is impractical to use gravity cartography to resolve metre-scale underground features because of the long measurement times needed for the removal of vibrational noise6. Here we overcome this limitation by realizing a practical quantum gravity gradient sensor. Our design suppresses the effects of micro-seismic and laser noise, thermal and magnetic field variations, and instrument tilt. The instrument achieves a statistical uncertainty of 20 E (1 E = 10−9 s−2) and is used to perform a 0.5-metre-spatial-resolution survey across an 8.5-metre-long line, detecting a 2-metre tunnel with a signal-to-noise ratio of 8. Using a Bayesian inference method, we determine the centre to ±0.19 metres horizontally and the centre depth as (1.89 −0.59/+2.3) metres. The removal of vibrational noise enables improvements in instrument performance to directly translate into reduced measurement time in mapping. The sensor parameters are compatible with applications in mapping aquifers and evaluating impacts on the water table7, archaeology8–11, determination of soil properties12 and water content13, and reducing the risk of unforeseen ground conditions in the construction of critical energy, transport and utilities infrastructure14, providing a new window into the underground.

The sensing of gravity has emerged as an important tool in geophysics for applications such as engineering and climate research 1,2,3 where it provides the capability to probe otherwise inaccessible features under the surface of the Earth. Examples include the monitoring of temporal variations such as those found in aquifers4 and geodesy5. However, resolving metre scale underground features is rendered impractical by the long measurement times needed for the removal of vibrational noise6. Here, we overcome this limitation and open up the field of gravity cartography by realising a practical quantum gravity gradient sensor. Our design suppresses the effects of micro-seismic and laser noise, as well as thermal and magnetic field variations, and instrument tilt. The instrument achieves an uncertainty of 20 E (1 E = 10-9 s-2) and is used to perform a 0.5 m spatial resolution survey across a 8.5 m long line, detecting a 2 m tunnel with a signal to noise ratio of 8. The tunnel centre is localised using a Bayesian inference method, determining the centre to within ± 0.19 m in the horizontal direction and finding the centre depth as (1.89 -0.59/+2.3) m. The removal of vibrational noise enables improvements in instrument performance to directly translate into reduced measurement time in mapping. This opens new applications such as mapping the water distribution of aquifers and evaluating impacts on the water table7, detecting new features in archaeology8,9,10,11, determination of soil properties12 and water content13, and reducing the risk of unforeseen ground conditions in the construction of critical energy, transport and utilities infrastructure14, providing a new window into the underground.

A frequency doubled I/Q modulator based optical single-sideband (OSSB) laser system is demonstrated for atomic physics research, specifically for atom interferometry where the presence of additional sidebands causes parasitic transitions. The performance of the OSSB technique and the spectrum after second harmonic generation are measured and analyzed. The additional sidebands are removed with better than 20 dB suppression, and the influence of parasitic transitions upon stimulated Raman transitions at varying spatial positions is shown to be removed beneath experimental noise. This technique will facilitate the development of compact atom interferometry based sensors with improved accuracy and reduced complexity.

The UK National Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Metrology is one of four flagship initiatives in the UK National of Quantum Technology Program. As part of a 20-year vision it translates laboratory demonstrations to deployable practical devices, with game-changing miniaturized components and prototypes that transform the state-of-the-art for quantum sensors and metrology. It brings together experts from the Universities of Birmingham, Glasgow, Nottingham, Southampton, Strathclyde and Sussex, NPL and currently links to over 15 leading international academic institutions and over 70 companies to build the supply chains and routes to market needed to bring 10–1000x improvements in sensing applications. It seeks, and is open to, additional partners for new application development and creates a point of easy open access to the facilities and supply chains that it stimulates or nurtures.