Q-TAGG: Quantum Trapped-Atom Gravity Gradiometer
Updated
Special Notice from the Department of Energy, for work in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Due Nov 17, 2026, 5:00 PM (UTC-7), 20 days left.
| Solicitation number | S-195094 |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of Energy |
| Office | Triad - Doe Contractor |
| Notice type | Special Notice |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519) |
| Product or service code | AN12 |
| Place of performance | Los Alamos, New Mexico |
| Posted | Oct 27, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 17, 2026, 5:00 PM (UTC-7) (20 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Federal prevailing wage rates for this place: New Mexico Davis-Bacon and SCA wage determinations.
Description
The Quantum Trapped-Atom Gravity Gradiometer (Q?TAGG), developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, is a compact sensing platform designed to achieve extended atom interferometer interrogation times without the height required by conventional free?fall instruments. Ultracold atoms remain guided during interferometric evolution, providing a pathway to increased sensitivity within a compact architecture.
The platform uses spatially multiplexed sensing, with multiple atomic sensing sites across one or more sensor heads operated under common or phase-referenced interrogation conditions. The resulting site-resolved phase measurements support estimation of spatially varying gravitational signals and differential processing of correlated disturbances. By combining a compact guided-atom architecture, spatial multiplexing, and suppression of correlated disturbances, Q?TAGG provides a pathway toward deployable quantum sensing for subsurface imaging, resource exploration, safeguards, and security applications.
Overview Q?TAGG measures spatial variations in gravity using atom interferometric phase measurements acquired at distinct sensing locations. Optical pulses split, redirect, and recombine guided atomic wave packets. The resulting interferometric phase is sensitive to gravity and inertial acceleration along the relevant measurement axis, as well as to optical, trapping, and other instrument?related contributions.
Multiple sensing locations are interrogated during a common measurement cycle, producing a synchronized spatial data set. After calibration and differential processing, relative phase measurements are used to estimate gravity field gradients and related spatial modes. The architecture also supports multiple spatially separated sensor heads for longer?baseline or distributed measurements.
Technology Description Each sensor head prepares one or more ultracold atomic ensembles at respective locations within an optical guiding or trapping structure. The atomic ensembles are subjected to a common or phase?referenced interferometric pulse sequence and are read out on a site?resolved basis. Guiding the atoms during interrogation permits longer interaction times in a lower profile system than would be required for an equivalent free?fall distance.
Because the sensing locations share common timing and an optical phase reference, their outputs are analyzed jointly. Differential and global estimation approaches are used to extract relative phase information, evaluate spatial consistency, and estimate gravity gradient signals. Common interrogation also suppresses disturbances correlated among the sensing locations.
Multiple sensor heads can be arranged in linear, planar, or distributed configurations, providing flexibility in the selection of baselines and measurement geometries. Multi-axes sensing arrangements can also access additional components of the gravity gradient tensor. Advantages Guided atom interferometer operation supports extended interrogation without a tall free?fall structure.
Spatial multiplexing provides multiple simultaneous phase samples within each measurement cycle. Joint processing of multi?site data supports gradient estimation, consistency checks, and systematic error diagnostics. Common or phase?referenced interrogation reduce sensitivity to correlated disturbances.
Atom?based phase measurements support a repeatable, model?based calibration framework. Configurable sensor arrangements support different baselines and measurement geometries. Market Applications Geothermal and resource exploration (gravity gradient surveys of geological boundaries and density contrasts).
Subsurface imaging and infrastructure (detection and characterization of tunnels, voids, buried structures, and changes around engineered sites). Environmental and storage monitoring (repeat surveys of groundwater, subsurface reservoirs, carbon storage sites, and changing mass distributions). Security and nuclear safeguards (passive detection or monitoring of gravity anomalies associated with dense objects).
Mobile surveying and navigation (moving platform gravity mapping and gravity-referenced positioning following dynamic validation). Space-based Earth observation (gravity mapping for geodesy, hydrology and climate monitoring). TRL 4 U.S. Patent pending LA-UR-26-29523 LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.
LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact [email protected].
Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology. lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/f... m.lanl.gov/tech-search
Contracting contact
- Kathleen McDonald · [email protected]
- Lindsay Augustyn · [email protected]
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 334519, a business counts as small if it has no more than 600 employees (SBA size standard). This notice is set aside, so only businesses under that size, or in the named program, can bid. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
About the buyer
The Department of Energy awarded $55.0 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were Triad National Security, LLC, National Technology & Engineering Solutions Of Sandia, LLC and Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC. See what DOE is buying now.
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