Microelectromechanical system gravimeters as a new tool for gravity imaging

Middlemiss, R. P. , Bramsiepe, S. G., Douglas, R., Hild, S., Hough, J. , Paul, D. J. , Samarelli, A., Rowan, S. and Hammond, G. D. (2018) Microelectromechanical system gravimeters as a new tool for gravity imaging. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 376(2120), 20170291. (doi: 10.1098/rsta.2017.0291) (PMID:29661979)

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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: General engineering, general physics and astronomy, general mathematics.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bramsiepe, Mr Steven and Rowan, Professor Sheila and Hammond, Professor Giles and Paul, Professor Douglas and Hough, Professor James and Hild, Professor Stefan and Samarelli, Mr Antonio and DOUGLAS, Rebecca and Middlemiss, Dr Richard
• Authors: Middlemiss, R. P., Bramsiepe, S. G., Douglas, R., Hild, S., Hough, J., Paul, D. J., Samarelli, A., Rowan, S., and Hammond, G. D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Research Centre: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
• Journal Name: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
• Publisher: Royal Society
• ISSN: 1364-503X
• ISSN (Online): 1471-2962
• Published Online: 16 April 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 376(2120):20170291
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher
• Data DOI: 10.5525/gla.researchdata.213

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
66211	1	Monolithic Silicon Photonics Interferometer for Ultra-sensitive MEMS Sensors	Giles Hammond	Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)	ST/M000427/1	S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY
66723	19	UK Quantum Technology Hub in Enhanced Quantum Imaging	Miles Padgett	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/M01326X/1	S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY