Superconducting gravity gradiometer for space and terrestrial applications
Author(s)
Author(s)
Moody, M. V.
Paik, H. J.
Date Issued
1986
Publisher
AIP Publishing
Journal
Journal of Applied Physics
Volume
60
Issue
12
Start page
4308
End page
4315
Abstract
A three‐axis superconducting gravity gradiometer with a potential sensitivity better than 10−3 Eötvös Hz−1/2 is currently under development for applications in space. Although such a high sensitivity may be needed for only a limited number of terrestrial applications, superconductivity offers many extraordinary effects which can be used to obtain a gravity gradiometer with other characteristics necessary for operation in a hostile moving‐base environment. Utilizing a number of recently devised techniques which rely on certain properties of superconductors, we have produced a design for a sensitive yet rugged gravity gradiometer with a high degree of stability and a common‐mode rejection ratio greater than 109. With a base line of 0.11 m, a sensitivity of 0.1 Eötvös Hz−1/2 is expected in an environment monitored to a level of 10−2 m s−2 Hz−1/2 for linear vibration and 7×10−6 rad s−1 Hz−1/2 for angular vibration. A conventional stabilized platform can be used at this level. The intrinsic noise level, which is two orders of magnitude lower, could be achieved by monitoring the attitude with a superconducting angular accelerometer which is under development. In addition, the new gradiometer design has the versatility of adapting the instrument to different gravity biases by adjusting stored dc currents.
SFU Affiliated Publication
No
Availability at SFU Library
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