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Single-Element Dual-Interferometer for Precision Inertial Sensing

Authors :
Yichao Yang
Kohei Yamamoto
Victor Huarcaya
Christoph Vorndamme
Daniel Penkert
Germán Fernández Barranco
Thomas S. Schwarze
Moritz Mehmet
Juan Jose Esteban Delgado
Jianjun Jia
Gerhard Heinzel
Miguel Dovale Álvarez
Source :
Sensors, Vol 20, Iss 17, p 4986 (2020)
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2020.

Abstract

Tracking moving masses in several degrees of freedom with high precision and large dynamic range is a central aspect in many current and future gravitational physics experiments. Laser interferometers have been established as one of the tools of choice for such measurement schemes. Using sinusoidal phase modulation homodyne interferometry allows a drastic reduction of the complexity of the optical setup, a key limitation of multi-channel interferometry. By shifting the complexity of the setup to the signal processing stage, these methods enable devices with a size and weight not feasible using conventional techniques. In this paper we present the design of a novel sensor topology based on deep frequency modulation interferometry: the self-referenced single-element dual-interferometer (SEDI) inertial sensor, which takes simplification one step further by accommodating two interferometers in one optic. Using a combination of computer models and analytical methods we show that an inertial sensor with sub-picometer precision for frequencies above 10 mHz, in a package of a few cubic inches, seems feasible with our approach. Moreover we show that by combining two of these devices it is possible to reach sub-picometer precision down to 2 mHz. In combination with the given compactness, this makes the SEDI sensor a promising approach for applications in high precision inertial sensing for both next-generation space-based gravity missions employing drag-free control, and ground-based experiments employing inertial isolation systems with optical readout.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14248220
Volume :
20
Issue :
17
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Sensors
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.4507a8f6d64544d49faf11c0fcb7c262
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/s20174986