Optical MEMS-Based Seismometer "WhiGS"

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA569632 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Low-yield man-made seismic activity is difficult to detect and most often occurs in remote areas where seismic detection is weak. The Whispering Gallery mode based Seismometer WhiGS, is an optical Micro-Electro-Mechanical System based MEMS instrument. The seismometer is a three-axis instrument, is compact, has low power consumption and is capable of unattended operation. WhiGS exploits morphology-dependent optical resonance shifts in small dielectric spheres 1 mm in diameter. These optical resonances, called whispering gallery modes WGM, are extremely narrow, making the transducer highly sensitive to force 10-9 Newtons. The MEMS sensing element in this seismometer has demonstrated an optical Q-factor of 107. As a result, the instrument is capable of measuring accelerations as low as 10 nano-g. The engineering model to demonstrate the performance of the instrument has been built. Tests have demonstrated the sensitivity of the instrument. The development of the electronics is underway.

Author(s):
Fourquette, Dominique ; Otugen, Volkan ; Larocque, Liane M. ; Ritter, Greg A. ; Meeusen, Jason J. ; Ioppolo, Tindaro
Author Organization(s):
MICHIGAN AEROSPACE CORP ANN ARBOR MI
Descriptive Note:
Conference paper
Supplementary Note:
Published in Proceedings of the 2010 Monitoring Research Review - Ground-Based Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Technologies, 21-23 September 2010, Orlando, FL. Volume I. Sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). U.S. Government or Federal Rights License
Pagination:
0010

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Contract/Grant Number(s):
DE-FG02-08ER85099
Monitor Series:
NNSA/DC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management
Modernization Areas:
Microelectronics
Communities of Interest:
Advanced Electronics
Descriptor(s):
*SEISMOMETERS, ELECTRONICS, MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS, OPTICAL PROPERTIES, TRANSDUCERS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Seismology
Keyword(s):
WHIGS(WHISPERING GALLERY MODE BASED SEISMOMETER)
Report Date:
2010 Sep 01
Creation Date:
2013 Mar 04