Absolute Quantum Gravimeter

The Absolute Quantum Gravimeter (AQG) is the first commercially available gravimeter based on laser-cooled atoms. This unique solution is the result of more than 15 years of research conducted by our academic partners (LP2N and LNE-SYRTE). This ground-breaking instrument is based on the cold atom gravimeter developed at SYRTE that has successfully participated to several international key comparisons of absolute gravimeters since 20091. The AQG measures the acceleration of a free-falling test mass in vacuum: the ballistic free-fall of an ensemble of laser-cooled atoms is accurately monitored, and the acceleration of gravity is then inferred2. This technique is one of the ballistic free-fall methods proclaimed by the BIPM (Bureau International des Poids et Mesures) as an official primary method for the measurement of gravity.