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Quantum sensors use the properties of quantum physics, a theory that describes phenomena at the atomic scale. We now know how to perfectly manipulate photons, atoms and electrons and place them on demand in a given quantum state. These states can be extremely sensitive to the slightest disturbance. It is on this principle that quantum sensors are based to detect, with great precision, quantities such as acceleration, rotation, magnetic field ... Their unparalleled sensitivity allows them to detect tiny variations but also to make very precise recordings over very long periods, thus opening the way to applications ranging from the measurement of the gravitational attraction of a buried object to the mapping of the magnetic fields emitted by our brain. The VeQSeNse project focuses on laser-cooled atomic inertial quantum sensors. At a temperature below microKelvin, it is thus possible to create waves of matter. By then using a laser pulse, we can form copies of these waves which will move away from each other in the direction of the laser beams. We thus create a quantum superposition of matter waves whose trajectories we will control using a series of light pulses, to form an interferometer with the possibility of observing interference fringes in the probability of detecting atoms at the exit of the interferometer. These fringes will be sensitive to accelerations along the laser, and it is possible to detect tiny changes, on the order of a billionth of the acceleration, and record these variations over very long periods of time. All these properties open the field of new applications, such as positioning without GPS, resource management without drilling or monitoring with a view to preventing disasters such as earthquakes. These sensors have been studied extensively and are commercially available today, but they are also very limited. Only one direction is measurable, whereas three-dimensional vector-type measurements would be required. In addition, there is still a lot of “dead time” in the measurement which degrades the accuracy, especially over long term use. The VeQSeNse project will study and develop a new generation of vector quantum sensors which will be used via a network of correlated sensors to meet the two challenges of vector measurement and reduced “dead time”. Vector sensors already exist by sequentially interrogating atoms on three axes, but this only partially solves the problem as it increases “dead times”. A series of correlated measurements can also be created by interrogating many clouds of atoms with the same laser, but this can only be done at short scales and therefore cannot be deployed over large areas as surveillance would require. and disaster forecasting. Through close collaboration between European and Canadian research institutes, we propose to develop a quantum link between “classic” vector sensors in order to improve sensitivity and precision and to develop a new 3D quantum manipulation tool that will lead to to a new generation of multi-axis quantum sensors. The combination of these two methods will increase the ability of these networks to record an acceleration vector map for geosphere monitoring applications. The aim is to set up a consortium of experts on aspects of sensors, synchronization networks and geophysical application. The work established in this context will also make it possible to foreshadow a consortium led by industrial partners aiming to accelerate the commercial development of gravimetric sensors.
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