Evaluating and comparing the performances of the first units of the Absolute Quantum Gravimeter

In this paper we report on the status of the first units of the Absolute Quantum Gravimeter that have been integrated by Muquans. They demonstrate that the Absolute Quantum Gravimeter can be manufactured according to industry standards and validate the feasibility to develop a matter-wave gravimeter as a transportable turn-key device. We will discuss the sensitivity, the stability and the repeatability of the absolute measurement of g provided by the first devices that have been produced. In terms of the sensitivity of the sensor, this paper will review how the AQG is able to routinely achieve a sensitivity of 1 μGal even when measurements are performed in noisy environments such as a city center. In terms of repeatability of the sensor, we will discuss the result of a direct comparison between one AQG and one free-falling corner cube gravity meter which showed that both instruments featured similar station-to-station repeatability within 1 μGal. In a close future, the direct comparison of several AQGs is anticipated to further assess the reproducibility of cold atom technology. We will also present the status of the development of the field version of the AQG designed to be compatible with outdoor operation.