Tests with commercial classical gravimeters in preparation for tests of quantum prototype

Preliminary tests with commercial spring-mass gravimeters have been carried out on the outdoor test field at Ispra in order to establish a test-bed suitable for testing a cold-atom quantum gravimeter. In 2016, the background on a single device was measured. In 2017, measurements of the field above a buried 5 ton lead mass were carried out, using two gravimeters mounted vertically one above the other. A clear indication of the gravitational field of the test mass with seen, with good signal-to-noise ratio. It was concluded that the general layout is satisfactory, given that the quantum prototype should have sensitivity similar to or better than the conventional instruments. Practical experience gained is helpful for understanding the requirements for mounting and positioning the quantum instrument.