High sensitivity optomechanical reference accelerometer over 10 kHz

TL;DR

This paper introduces a highly sensitive, traceable optomechanical accelerometer capable of measuring accelerations over a 10 kHz bandwidth with high precision, suitable for applications in seismology and gravimetry.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel fiber-optic micro-cavity accelerometer with traceable displacement measurement and high sensitivity, advancing the development of high-precision reference accelerometers.

Findings

Achieves 100 ng/rtHz sensitivity over 10 kHz bandwidth

Uses a Fabry-Perot fiber-optic micro-cavity for displacement measurement

Device is compact, high mQ-product, and traceable to SI units

Abstract

We present an optically-detected mechanical accelerometer that achieves a sensitivity of 100 ng/rtHz over a bandwidth of 10kHz and is traceable. We have incorporated a Fabry-Perot fiber-optic micro-cavity that is currently capable of measuring the test-mass displacement with sensitivities of 200 am/rtHz, and whose length determination enables traceability to the International System of Units (SI). The compact size and high mQ-product achieved combined with the high sensitivity and simplicity of the implemented optical detection scheme highlight our device and this category of accelerometers, outlining a path for high sensitivity reference acceleration measurements and observations in seismology and gravimetry.