Realising the commercial feasibility of quantum technology gravity instruments

Sigma+, the study of industrial gravity measurement applications, is a collaboration between RSK and Birmingham University that aims to understand the commercial feasibility of quantum technology gravity instruments. The study involved quantifying and removing the terrain effect on gravity measurements, which requires accurate and detailed models of the height around gravity observation points. RSK specialists conducted topographical and 3D laser scanning of UK test sites to quantify the terrain influence of each site.

Our team created a digital terrain model using complex instrumentation. The terrain elevation was captured across the site at all slope changes; the information gained was then modelled in computer software to create the terrain model.

To create a high-quality gravity model, we undertook a 3D point cloud survey using a specialist scanner on instated primary controls. The survey was then processed with software to produce a highly detailed 3D visualisation of the test site. All non-terrain points were removed from registered data to produce the highest-quality point-cloud data, and information from the traditional survey was overlaid onto data point compared to check for anomalies. Both sets of data were then used to create a highly accurate terrain model on a 100-mm spacing grid. The modelled data was then used to create a highly detailed gravity model.