Estimation of Temporal Variations in the Earth’s Gravity Field Using Novel Optical Clocks Onboard of Low Earth Orbiters

authored by: Akbar Shabanloui, Hu Wu, Jürgen Müller
Abstract: The current generation of optical atomic clocks has reached a fractional frequency uncertainty of 1×10−18 (and beyond) which corresponds to a geopotential difference of 0.1 m2/s2. Those gravitational potential differences can be observed as gravitational redshift when comparing the frequencies of optical clocks. Even temporal potential variations might be determined with precise novel optical atomic clocks onboard of low-orbiting satellites such as SLR-like (e.g. LAGEOS-1/2) and GRACE-like missions. In this simulation study, the potential of precise space-borne optical clocks for the determination of temporal variations of low-degree Earth’s gravity field coefficients are investigated. Different configurations of satellite orbits, i.e. at different altitudes (between 400 and 6000 km) and inclinations, are selected as well as certain assumptions on the clock performance are made. A particular focus is put on how well degree-2 coefficients can be estimated from those optical clock measurements and how it compares to results from SLR.
Organisation(s): Institute of Geodesy
CRC 1464: Relativistic and Quantum-Based Geodesy (TerraQ)
QuantumFrontiers
Type: Conference contribution
Pages: 53-62
No. of pages: 10
Publication date: 15.09.2024
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Computers in Earth Sciences, Geophysics
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1007/1345_2023_220 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@inproceedings{9b005b6bf4eb45059c38d02c9d9d88f1,
title = "Estimation of Temporal Variations in the Earth{\textquoteright}s Gravity Field Using Novel Optical Clocks Onboard of Low Earth Orbiters",
abstract = "The current generation of optical atomic clocks has reached a fractional frequency uncertainty of 1×10−18 (and beyond) which corresponds to a geopotential difference of 0.1 m2/s2. Those gravitational potential differences can be observed as gravitational redshift when comparing the frequencies of optical clocks. Even temporal potential variations might be determined with precise novel optical atomic clocks onboard of low-orbiting satellites such as SLR-like (e.g. LAGEOS-1/2) and GRACE-like missions. In this simulation study, the potential of precise space-borne optical clocks for the determination of temporal variations of low-degree Earth{\textquoteright}s gravity field coefficients are investigated. Different configurations of satellite orbits, i.e. at different altitudes (between 400 and 6000 km) and inclinations, are selected as well as certain assumptions on the clock performance are made. A particular focus is put on how well degree-2 coefficients can be estimated from those optical clock measurements and how it compares to results from SLR.",
keywords = "Optical clock measurements in space, Relativistic geodesy, Temporal long-wavelength Earth{\textquoteright}s gravity field variations",
author = "Akbar Shabanloui and Hu Wu and J{\"u}rgen M{\"u}ller",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2023.; IAG International Symposium on Reference Frames for Applications in Geosciences, REFAG 2022 ; Conference date: 17-10-2022 Through 20-10-2022",
year = "2024",
month = sep,
day = "15",
doi = "10.1007/1345_2023_220",
language = "English",
isbn = "9783031638541",
series = "International Association of Geodesy Symposia",
publisher = "Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH",
pages = "53--62",
editor = "Freymueller, {Jeffrey T.} and Laura S{\'a}nchez",
booktitle = "Gravity, Positioning and Reference Frames - Proceedings of the IAG Symposia - GGHS2022",
address = "Germany",
}