Nomad Atomics develops next-generation quantum sensors that exploit the natural properties of atoms and their interaction with light to provide clients with greater insights about their environments. Its field-deployable quantum absolute gravimeters provide a step-change in capability over current gravimeters by directly measuring the local gravity field to provide a high-precision, drift-free measurement of true (absolute) gravity, which allows underground mass changes to be monitored in near real-time in a way that has not previously been possible.

Nomad Atomics: Revolutionizing Gravity Measurements with Quantum Sensors

Nomad Atomics is a company with a mission to provide the world's best sensing solutions, allowing us to explore our world and beyond with greater precision and understanding. Their approach involves exploiting the natural properties of atoms and their interaction with light to develop next-generation quantum sensors. By doing so, they can offer their clients a deeper understanding of the environments in which they operate.

One of Nomad Atomics' most impressive developments is their field-deployable quantum absolute gravimeters. These devices provide a significant improvement over current survey-style gravimeters by measuring the local gravity field directly. As a result, they offer a high-precision, drift-free measurement of true gravity, which makes it possible to monitor underground mass changes in near real-time. This is a capability that has not been possible before. This technology is based on observing the freefall of a cloud of laser-cooled atoms using a pattern of light. This ties the value of local gravity to fundamental physical properties of atoms, providing an absolute, high-precision measurement in a small form factor device with no drifts and no moving parts.

The company has specifically designed and hardened these devices for field and survey operations, expanding the range of environments and situations where gravity data can be collected. This technology provides critical data for organizations that need accurate insights into underground environments. Some examples of such organizations include those in resource exploration and extraction, land and groundwater management, underground storage, and underground infrastructure monitoring.

The ability to map and monitor the subsurface is crucial for enabling responsible use of natural resources and mitigating risks associated with the changes that occur as a result of this use. Gravimetry is a promising technique for interrogating the subsurface because it detects changes in the characteristics and distribution of mass in a non-invasive and non-destructive manner. The unique insights provided by gravity measurements have the potential to enhance productivity at multiple points in the energy resources supply chain.

For example, in the oil and gas industry, cost-effective non-intrusive 4D fluid front monitoring can provide critical data to improve extraction efficiency and monitor the movement of sequestered carbon. In mining, absolute gravity surveys can improve the discovery of critical minerals required for the renewable energy transition. In addition, 4D (timelapse) monitoring of underground mines has the potential to improve both the productivity and safety of their extraction.

The limitations of current gravimeters have constrained the range of situations in which they can be used and the usefulness of the information they provide. Many applications require an understanding of the absolute value of gravity, which can only be achieved with absolute gravimeters. However, current commercial absolute devices have a complicated architecture, are large and fragile, and depend on a main power supply, which restricts how they can be deployed.

Nomad Atomics’ sensor is optimized to provide maximum value for customers in resource exploration and monitoring, mining, geoscience, and the utility sectors. It is portable, efficient, cost-effective, allows for long-term operation, measures the absolute (true) value of gravity, provides high data quality, is customizable, and has low impact. Furthermore, Nomad Atomics' technology pathway extends beyond land-based gravimeters, incorporating a suite of quantum sensors, including airborne gravimeters, accelerometers, gravity gradiometers, magnetometers, and clocks.