Quantum gravity gradiometry for future mass change science

Kurzfassung

A quantum gravity gradiometer in a low Earth orbit, operating in a cross-track configuration, could be a viable single-spacecraft measurement instrument to provide mass change data for Earth observation, at comparable or better resolutions to existing maps generated by GRACE-FO. To reach the sensitivity for these science-grade measurements, many parts of the cold-atom interferometer need to be operating at, or beyond, state-of-the-art performance. In order to raise the maturity of the technology of the cold-atom gradiometer and determine the feasibility of a science-grade instrument, a pathfinder technology demonstration platform is funded. The requirements and a notional design for such a pathfinder and the outstanding challenges for science-grade instruments are presented. [From: Stray, B., Bosch-Lluis, X., Thompson, R. et al. Quantum gravity gradiometry for future mass change science. EPJ Quantum Technol. 12, 35 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00338-1, CC BY 4.0]