We present a new low noise single-axis differential accelerometer; the sensor is suitable to be used in a gravity gradiometer (GG) system for land geophysical survey. A resolution of 1 Eötvös (1 Eö=10-9s-2) at one sample per second is achievable in a compact, lightweight (less than 2 Kg) portable instrument, operating at room temperature. The basic components of the sensor are two identical rigidly connected accelerometers separated by a 15-cm baseline vector and the useful signal is the difference of the two outputs, by means of an interferometric microwave readout system. The structure will be engraved in a monocrystal of sapphire by means of computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) ultrasonic machining; the sapphire was chosen because of its outstanding mechanical and dielectric properties. Key words: accelerometer, gradiometry, dielectric shielded resonator.
A sapphire differential accelerometer as sensor for a gravity gradiometer
BERTOLINI, ALESSANDRO;BEVERINI, NICOLO';DE MICHELE, ANDREA;FIDECARO, FRANCESCO;MANGO, FRANCESCO
2005-01-01
Abstract
We present a new low noise single-axis differential accelerometer; the sensor is suitable to be used in a gravity gradiometer (GG) system for land geophysical survey. A resolution of 1 Eötvös (1 Eö=10-9s-2) at one sample per second is achievable in a compact, lightweight (less than 2 Kg) portable instrument, operating at room temperature. The basic components of the sensor are two identical rigidly connected accelerometers separated by a 15-cm baseline vector and the useful signal is the difference of the two outputs, by means of an interferometric microwave readout system. The structure will be engraved in a monocrystal of sapphire by means of computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) ultrasonic machining; the sapphire was chosen because of its outstanding mechanical and dielectric properties. Key words: accelerometer, gradiometry, dielectric shielded resonator.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
