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High-Resolution Displacement Sensor Using a SQUID Array AmplifierImprovement in the measurement of displacement has profound implications for both exploration technologies and fundamental physics. For planetary exploration, the new SQUID-based capacitive displacement sensor will enable a more sensitive gravity gradiometer for mapping the interior of planets and moons. A new concept of a superfluid clock to be reported by Penanen and Chui at this workshop is also based on a high-resolution displacement sensor. Examples of high-impact physics projects that can benefit from a better displacement sensor are: detection of gravitational waves, test of the equivalence principle, search for the postulated "axion" particle, and test of the inverse square law of gravity. We describe the concept of a new displacement sensor that makes use of a recent development in the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) technology. The SQUID array amplifier, invented by Welty and Martinis (IEEE Trans. Appl. Superconductivity 3, 2605, 1993), has about the same noise as a conventional SQUID; however, it can work at a much higher frequency of up to 5 MHz. We explain how the higher bandwidth can be translated into higher resolution using a bridge-balancing scheme that can simultaneously balance out both the carrier signal at the bridge output and the electrostatic force acting on the test mass.
Document ID
20060014071
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Chui, Talso
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Penanen, Konstantin
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Barmatz, M.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Paik, Ho Jung
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Proceedings of the 2004 NASA/JPL Workshop on Physics for Planetary Exploration
Subject Category
Physics (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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