| Literature DB >> 29661979 |
Richard P Middlemiss1, Steven G Bramsiepe2, Rebecca Douglas2, Stefan Hild2, James Hough2, Douglas J Paul3, Antonio Samarelli2, Sheila Rowan2, Giles D Hammond4.
Abstract
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gravimeter has been manufactured with a sensitivity of 40 ppb in an integration time of 1 s. This sensor has been used to measure the Earth tides: the elastic deformation of the globe due to tidal forces. No such measurement has been demonstrated before now with a MEMS gravimeter. Since this measurement, the gravimeter has been miniaturized and tested in the field. Measurements of the free-air and Bouguer effects have been demonstrated by monitoring the change in gravitational acceleration measured while going up and down a lift shaft of 20.7 m, and up and down a local hill of 275 m. These tests demonstrate that the device has the potential to be a useful field-portable instrument. The development of an even smaller device is underway, with a total package size similar to that of a smartphone.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'The promises of gravitational-wave astronomy'.Keywords: accelerometer; geometric anti-spring; gravimeter; microelectromechanical system; sensor; transducer
Year: 2018 PMID: 29661979 PMCID: PMC5915651 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2017.0291
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci ISSN: 1364-503X Impact factor: 4.226