Quantum optical level on the effect of gravitational delay of a light wave and its capabilities

V.F. Fateev

FSUE “VNIIFTRI”, Mendeleevo, Moscow region, Russia
generalfat@mail.ru

Al’manac of Modern Metrology № 3 (31) 2022, pages 45–60

Abstract. A new type of quantum level is proposed and investigated — a phase optical quantum level based on measuring the effect of the gravitational delay of light waves in the Earth’s gravitational field. To measure the difference in gravitational potentials and orthometric heights, two laser waves are used, which propagate along two coils of a long optical fiber spaced along the geocentric height. The phase shifts caused by the influence of the true gravitational field of the Earth, influence of the field of inertial forces and gyroscopic effects due to the rotation of the Earth are determined. Measurement plans are proposed, as well as methods for suppressing interfering effects. The directions of application of the device are considered. The achievable error in measuring the orthometric height with a height difference of 100 m for coils is a few centimeters. The instrument does not use ultra-stable frequency and time standards. The operational range is hundreds of kilometers.

Keywords: gravitational potential difference, orthometric height difference, quantum optical level, laser phase measurements, optical fiber coils.

Full texts of articles are available only in Russian in printed issues of the magazine.