Space Geodesy & Planet Exploration

Optomechanical accelerometers

Researchers Involved:

Objective: Develop and improve the design of compact micro-fabricated optomechanical accelerometers for use in future GRACE-like mass change missions to a technology readiness level (TRL) of 4-5.
Geodesy refers to measurement of the shape, orientation, and gravitational field of the Earth.
Having size, weight, and power (SWaP) characteristics compatible with compact spacecraft platforms such as CubeSats, miniaturized accelerometers are a promising technology for compact, cost-effective inertial sensing with observation continuity.

Using low loss materials, LASSO is developing monolithic optomechemical acceleration sensors with high sensitivities at low frequencies (10-13 m/ at 2 mHz to 10-15 m/ at 100 Hz).
These sensors are capable of achieving an acceleration noise floor of 4×10-11 m s-2 with a high mechanical quality factor (above Q ≈ 500,000).
We are conducting characterization and performance measurements to check our existing models.
We are also developing and testing packaging of these accelerometers for a space flight instrument prototype that preserves the high mechanical quality factor.

LASSO