NIST researchers have developed a new type of optomechanical accelerometer that uses light to measure acceleration with high precision and without the need for regular calibration. This device uses a tiny optical cavity and a suspended mechanical resonator to detect motion. When the device is accelerated, the position of the resonator changes, altering the cavity’s length and shifting the optical resonance. This shift is measured using a stable laser, allowing the device to convert the optical signal into an accurate acceleration reading. Unlike traditional accelerometers, which require calibration using external equipment, this new sensor is self-calibrating and can achieve measurement uncertainties better than 1 part in 1,000.
The optomechanical accelerometer is designed to be small, about 1 mm thick, and could be manufactured using standard microelectronics techniques, making it potentially low-cost and scalable. It has a wide range of potential applications, including monitoring vibrations in machinery, detecting seismic activity, and improving navigation systems in environments where GPS is unavailable. Because it is self-calibrating, it could also serve as a reference tool for calibrating other accelerometers, reducing reliance on national metrology institutes. The technology is still in the prototype stage, but its design suggests it could be implemented in practical devices in the near future.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/noac/technology/mass-force-and-acceleration/optomechanical-accelerometers
Keywords: optomechanical accelerometer, self-calibrating sensor, optical cavity
