Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FIQUgS (Field Quantum Gravity Sensors)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-10-01 al 2024-03-31
Gravimetry aims to unveil the underground's density structure by measuring subtle changes in the local gravity acceleration. The first-generation quantum gravity sensors (QGs) have attracted many customers' strong interest, and the market is still growing. But the commercial potential and the positive impact of the technology are not yet fully exploited because of several limitations such as transportability, robustness, user-friendless, or high operation costs. To overcome the barriers that limit the operational utilization of field gravimetry and develop the solutions that will allow us to fully address the exploitable market, we propose to conduct in FIQUgS the development of several innovations, either at the technological level with improved QGs built upon a reliable and efficient supply chain or in terms of operational methodology. The development of a next-generation QGs product line and the services associated with conducting field surveys, data acquisition, and data inversion will considerably develop our capability to address the market of advanced geophysics. The unique industrial and technological capabilities that will result from FIQUgS will positively contribute to several important societal objectives, especially the European Green Deal: - the new field QGs will allow for a reduction of the environmental impact associated with mining activities thanks to a reduction of drilling operations, and civil engineering where it will contribute to more efficient and resilient constructions. - they will contribute to improved utilization of geothermal energies through the development of non-invasive monitoring capabilities of the energy reservoir. - they will be involved in CO2 storage operations and will contribute to the fight against global warming thanks to these advanced monitoring capabilities. FIQUgS will also have an impact in quantum technologies markets, such as high-performance navigation or advanced photonics
The activities carried out and the main achievements are as follows:
Under Work Package 1 (Specification and Design), the project involved assessing end-user requirements for sensor capabilities, designing various sub-components and establishing test plans. Notable achievements in this work package include the identification of optimal use cases for the quantum gravimeters (QG), the development of innovative solutions for the beamshaper design, the design of the new differential quantum gravimeter (DQG) and the design of the associated robot.
Work package 2 (supply chain and hardware integration) focuses on the realization of components, with activities underway. Significant achievements in this area include prototyping activities for the DQG, top shape, accelerometer and ground penetrating radar (GPR), as well as the development of inversion software and survey planning tools.
Under Work Package 1 (Specification and Design), the project involved assessing end-user requirements for sensor capabilities, designing various sub-components and establishing test plans. Notable achievements in this work package include the identification of optimal use cases for the quantum gravimeters (QG), the development of innovative solutions for the beamshaper design, the design of the new differential quantum gravimeter (DQG) and the design of the associated robot.
Work package 2 (supply chain and hardware integration) focuses on the realization of components, with activities underway. Significant achievements in this area include prototyping activities for the DQG, top shape, accelerometer and ground penetrating radar (GPR), as well as the development of inversion software and survey planning tools.
The results obtained and the potential impacts are as follows: The project has produced results that go beyond the current state of the art. In particular, a sensitivity record has been achieved for an industrial differential quantum gravimeter (DQG) thanks to the use of the DQG prototype and custom-made 2D magnetic optical traps (2D-MOT). In addition, the project developed new optimisation procedures and designs for aspherical systems, improving their performance and applicability. In addition, a bespoke survey planner and terrain correction algorithm were developed, providing advanced capabilities for surveying and data analysis. These achievements are likely to have a significant impact on various fields, including geophysics, exploration and environmental monitoring, by enabling more accurate measurements and improving data interpretation methodologies.