Single-element dual-interferometer for precision inertial sensing

authored by: 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
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.
Organisation(s): Institute of Gravitation Physics
QuantumFrontiers
External Organisation(s): CAS - Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)
Type: Article
Journal: Sensors (Switzerland)
Volume: 20
Pages: 1-17
No. of pages: 17
ISSN: 1424-8220
Publication date: 03.09.2020
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Instrumentation, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.3390/s20174986 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{817c35ccee87409c885c5931946d1603,
title = "Single-element dual-interferometer for precision inertial sensing",
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.",
keywords = "Inertial sensing, Laser interferometry, Optical readout",
author = "Yichao Yang and Kohei Yamamoto and Victor Huarcaya and Christoph Vorndamme and Daniel Penkert and Barranco, {Germ{\'a}n Fern{\'a}ndez} and Schwarze, {Thomas S.} and Moritz Mehmet and Delgado, {Juan Jose Esteban} and Jianjun Jia and Gerhard Heinzel and {\'A}lvarez, {Miguel Dovale}",
note = "Funding information: This work has been supported by: the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Max Planck Society (MPG) in the framework of the LEGACY cooperation on low-frequency gravitational-wave astronomy (AEI: M.IF.A.QOP18098, MPIfR: M.IF.A.RADI 8098); Clusters of Excellence “QuantumFrontiers: Light and Matter at the Quantum Frontier: Foundations and Applications in Metrology” (EXC-2123, project number: 390837967); PhoenixD: “Photonics, Optics, and Engineering—Innovation Across Disciplines” (EXC-2122, project number: 390833453).",
year = "2020",
month = sep,
day = "3",
doi = "10.3390/s20174986",
language = "English",
volume = "20",
pages = "1--17",
journal = "Sensors (Switzerland)",
issn = "1424-8220",
publisher = "Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute",
number = "17",
}