Can Traditional Terrestrial Applications of Gravity Gradiometry Rely Upon Quantum Technologies ? A Side View

TL;DR

This paper reviews the historical development of gravity gradiometry, contrasting traditional terrestrial methods with recent quantum-based approaches, and analyzes why quantum technologies have not yet replaced classical methods in practical applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of gravity gradiometry and explores the reasons behind the limited adoption of quantum technologies in practical applications.

Findings

Quantum gravity gradiometers have not yet replaced classical methods in practice.

Research on quantum gravity gradiometry has declined in recent years.

Traditional gravity gradiometry remains dominant in practical applications.

Abstract

The era of practical terrestrial applications of gravity gradiometry begun in 1890 when Baron Lorand von E\"otv\"os, a Hungarian nobleman and a talented physicist and engineer, invented his famous torsion balance - the first practical gravity gradients measuring device. It was credited for the major oil discoveries later in Texas (USA). A 100 years later Kasevich and Chu pioneered the use of quantum physics for gravity gradient measurements. Since then cold-atom gravity gradiometers, or matter-wave gravity gradiometers, had been under development at almost every physics department of top-rated universities around the globe. After another 30 years since the Kasevich and Chu publication in 1992, which had led to the first ever quantum gravity gradiometer, the corresponding research and development ceased from being profoundly active a few years back. This article is an attempt to understand and explain what may have happened to the Quantum Invasion into the area of applied physics and precision engineering that traditionally has been occupied by non-quantum technologies developed for about a 130 years of the history of gravity gradiometry.