Report of Absolute Gravity Measurement

at KIM-LIPI, Indonesia

Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science

Dr. In-Mook Choi

Mr. Ho-Young Lee

July 2012
1. Introduction

The KRISS absolute gravimeter works by dropping an object in a vacuum and

measuring the time it takes to fall a specified distance. This is the most
straightforward way to determine g by measuring the free-fall acceleration of a test
body. Figure 1(a) shows the absolute gravimeter, which consists of a dropping
chamber with a corner-cube, a laser interferometer, an active seismic-isolation device
called a supersping, an accurate Rb clock, and a data-acquisition system. The
operation principle is very simple. A test mass is dropped vertically by a mechanical
device inside the vacuum chamber, and the test mass is then allowed to fall an
average distance of about 35 cm. A test body with a corner cube is dropped from the
top of the dropping chamber. A laser interferometer generates a fringe signal
according to the position of the falling test body under vacuum conditions and the
fringes are counted and timed with the Rb clock to obtain a precise time and distance
pair, as shown in Fig. 1(b).

(a)
D1,T1
D2,T2

D3,T3
Test Object
Beam
Splitter

Photo
-Detector
Fixed Reference

Raw Fringe Signal

D1,T1 D2,T2 D3,T3

(b)
Fig. 1. Absolute gravimetry at KRISS. (a) Absolute gravimeter system on absolute gravity point at
KRISS: a dropping chamber with a corner-cube, a laser interferometer, a supersping, a Rb clock, and a
data-acquisition module. (b) Principle of creating calibrated precise time and distance pair: the fringe
signal with the dropping object position (Di) and time (Ti).
 Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) established an absolute
gravity standard using the free-fall gravimeter equipped with an iodine-stabilized He-
Ne laser and a Rb clock in order to make a reliable gravity calibration chain. The
Korean gravity standard is traceable to the Korean time and length standards.

2. Measurement Cooperation Between KIM-LIPI and KRISS

KIM-LIPI and KRISS have made a contract related to the provision of technical
services by KRISS for the absolute measurement of acceleration due to gravity as
contained in the Quotation 11-GP-01/KIM LIPI-KRISS dated June 27, 2012. The
Quotation covered all expenses for the offering of services by KRISS, including;
- measurement of absolute gravity at three (3) points and issuance of certificates of
the measurements;
- return trip and accommodation in Indonesia by two experts of KRISS for six
working days;
- packing, insurance and delivery of the KRISS equipment to and from Indonesia

In accordance with the contract, Dr. In-Mook Choi and Mr. Ho-Young Lee from
KRISS were scheduled to measure the acceleration due to gravity at KIM-LIPI from
15 to 21 June, 2012.

The former equipment was named KRISS FGL-103, which was used for the
participation in the 8th International Comparison of Absolute Gravimeters at BIPM
(CCM.G-K1). Participation in this International Comparison enabled KRISS to
establish the degree of equivalence of its gravity standard. In 2011, the absolute
gravimeter has been upgraded to FG5-x with an improved reliability. The new
featured equipment has been tested for a long time at KRISS before the measurement
at KIM-LIPI. The equivalence between KRISS FGL-103 and FG5x-104 has been
verified fully by the long-term gravity monitoring at KRISS absolute gravity
observatory.

3. Measurement Result

On 15th July 2012, two experts (Dr. In-Mook Choi and Mr. Ho-young Lee) arrived at
KIM-LIPI with a help from KIM-LIPI staff. On 16th morning, the equipment was
unpacked and installed at 1st gravity site in force laboratory. The dropping chamber of
KRISS gravimeter, FG5x-104, was baked over a few hours before the measurement.
On 16th afternoon, the gravimeter was aligned and stabilized. A pre-measurement test
was carried out before beginning a regular measurement at the site. The standard
deviation of the gravity set data seemed very normal, which was about less than
1.5´10-7 m/s2. It was expected that an uncertainty from Type A evaluation would be
much smaller than the value because plenty set of data were supposed to be acquired
during the regular measurements.
First regular measurement was carried out for 41 hours from 16:00, 16th July 2012 to
09:00, 18th July 2012 at force laboratory in KIM-LIPI.

Measurement details are follows;

The measurement value of the acceleration due to gravity was (978 136 696 ± 4) ´
10-8 m/s2 (k=2).
The number of sets processed is 41, and the standard deviation of sets, 3.2´10-8 m/s2,
which means that the uncertainty from Type A evaluation is 3.2´10-8 /Ö41 » 0.5´10-8
(m/s2). The total drops accepted in the process are 4076.
The Earth tide was corrected by Longman model. The position information was
provided by KIM-LIPI using a commercial GPS (Global Positioning System) device.
The above gravity value is the result which is measured at the reference height of
130.6 cm from the top of the marker at the site. If a gravity value is required at
different height, the given gravity value should be transferred to a user specified
height by applying a vertical gravity gradient at the site, which can be measured by a
precise relative gravimeter. If not measured, a free air correction value of -3.086´10-8
m/s2 /cm. In this case, the uncertainty of the converted value would get worse as the
height difference from the reference height, 138.6 cm, increases.
The nominal atmospheric pressure was 1,000 hPa.
The effect due to polar motion was corrected using IAGBN formula. The polar
motion data were referred to the website, http://www.iers.org

Fig.2 Gravity Measurement at Force Laboratory in KIM-LIPI

Second regular measurement was carried out for 24 hours from 13:00, 18th July 2012
to 13:00, 19th July 2012 at mass laboratory in KIM-LIPI.

The measurement value of the acceleration due to gravity was (978 137 556 ± 4) ´
10-8 m/s2 (k=2).
The number of sets processed is 24, and the standard deviation of sets, 2.9´10-8 m/s2,
which means that the uncertainty from Type A evaluation is 2.9 ´10-8 m/s2/Ö24 » 0.6
´10-8 m/s2. The total drops accepted in the process are 2397.
Other details are same with the first measurement result.

Fig.3 Gravity Measurement at Mass Laboratory in KIM-LIPI

Third regular measurement was carried out for 26 hours from 14:00, 19th July 2012 to
16:00, 20th July 2012 at geodetic laboratory in KIM-LIPI. The measurement place
was determined by considering the accessibility of clients who want to use the site
with their relative gravimeter

The measurement value of the acceleration due to gravity was (978 136 530 ± 4) ´
10-8 m/s2 (k=2).
The number of sets processed is 26, and the standard deviation of sets, 3.7´10-8 m/s2,
which means that the uncertainty from Type A evaluation is 3.7 ´10-8 m/s2/Ö24 » 0.6
´10-8 m/s2. The total drops accepted in the process are 2587.
Other details are same with the first measurement result.
 Fig.4 Gravity Measurement at Geodetic Laboratory in KIM-LIPI

During the measurement, there was no significant change in drop or set scatter except
a laser lock shift. It was compensated in the post processing of the results. The
measurement site conditions were very stable, and the room temperature was
controlled very well during the measurement.

After finishing measurements at three sites in KIM-LIPI, the equipment was packed
and sent back to KRISS with a help from KIM-LIPI. KRISS measured the
acceleration due to gravity at the absolute gravity point in KRISS, in order to confirm
the performance of the gravimeter, and the result was consistent with the previously
established value.
 Appendix #1 Information of KRISS gravimeter

Table 1 Description of the absolute gravimeter, KRISS FG5x-104

Manufacturer Micro-g Solution

Model/Type FG5-x

s/n 104

Method of the measurement of free-fall acceleration: Free-fall

Approximated reference height 138.6 cm

Vibration-isolation device Superspring

Interferometer type Mach-Zender Interferometer

Laser type Iodine Stabilized He-Ne laser

Photo-detection board type Commercial Micro-g board

Throw/drop length used during measurement, number of
Drop length : 35 cm, Fringe No. :1100
fringes acquired and fringes used for g-evaluation

Table 2 Calibration Results of the laser frequency and verification of the clock frequency of KRISS
gravimeter, FG5x-104
Instrument Date of calibration Calibration value Uncertainty (k= 2)

Laser 21 April 2011 fe=437 612 366.956 MHz 0.057 MHz

Clock 29 May 2012 f=9 999 999.995 262 Hz 0.000 023 Hz
Appendix #2 Summary of Gravity Measurement Results at KIM-LIPI

Table 3 Summary of measurement results

Time st. dev. of

#sets, g /10-8m·s-2 U(k=2)
Date (from/ Site set data -8 -2 Picture of the AG at the site
#drops @ Zref -8 -2 /10 m·s
to) /10 m·s

16th
16:00
July 2012
Force 41 sets 978 136 696
3.2 4
Lab. 4,076 drops @ 1.386 m
th
18
09:00
July 2012

18th
13:00
July 2012
Mass 24 sets 978 137 556
2.9 4
Lab. 2,397 drops @ 1.386 m
th
19
13:00
July 2012

19th
14:00
July 2012

Geodetic 26 sets 978 136 530

3.7 4
Lab. 2,587 drops @ 1.386 m
20th
16:00,
July 2012

Note: Zref is the instrumental reference height at corresponding site

Appendix #3-1. Gravity Measurement Result at Force Laboratory

TEST REPORT Page 1 of 3 Pages

• Client : KIM-LIPI
• Address : Kompleks PUSPIPTEK,Cisauk-Tangerang,Banten,15314 INDONESIA
• Measurement Site : Force Laboratory
• Measurement Date : 16th July 2012 ~ 18th July 2012
• Measurement Equipment : FG5x-104

• Method of the measurement : Free-fall

• Reference height : 138.6 cm (from the top of the marker)
• Earth tide correction - ETGTAB (Longman)
• Polar motion correction - IAGBN Formula
• Nominal atmospheric pressure - 1,000 hPa

• Measurement Details :
Number of Sets Processed : 41 (Std. dev. of Sets = 3.2×10-8 m/s2)
Number of Drops/Set : 100
Total Drops Accepted : 4,076

• Measurement Result :
g = 978 136 696 ´ 10-8 m/s2
Expanded uncertainty(U) = 4 ´ 10-8 m/s2
Coverage Factor : k=2
Level of confidence : Approximately 95 %

Force Laboratory
978136710
Acceleration due to gravity x10-8(m/s2)

978136700

978136690

978136680
g = (9.78 136 696 + 0.00 000 004) m/s2

978136670
1x10-8

978136660
2012-07-16 2012-07-17 2012-07-18
Date

※ Latitude/Longitude/Altitude : N = -6.355579°, E=106.660399°, h = 71 m (This

information has been provided from KIM-LIPI and used only for the correction of the
Earth Tide)
Appendix #3-2. Gravity Measurement Result at Geodetic Laboratory

TEST REPORT Page 2 of 3 Pages

• Client : KIM-LIPI
• Address : Kompleks PUSPIPTEK,Cisauk-Tangerang,Banten,15314 INDONESIA
• Measurement Site : Mass Laboratory
• Measurement Date : 18th July 2012 ~ 19th July 2012
• Measurement Equipment : FG5x-104

• Method of the measurement : Free-fall

• Reference height : 138.6 cm (from the top of the marker)
• Earth tide correction - ETGTAB (Longman)
• Polar motion correction - IAGBN Formula
• Nominal atmospheric pressure - 1,000 hPa

• Measurement Details :
Number of Sets Processed : 24 (Std. dev. of Sets = 3.2×10-8 m/s2)
Number of Drops/Set : 100
Total Drops Accepted : 2,397

• Measurement Result :
g = 978 137 556 ´ 10-8 m/s2
Expanded uncertainty(U) = 4 ´ 10-8 m/s2
Coverage Factor : k=2
Level of confidence : Approximately 95 %

Mass Laboratory
978137570
Acceleration due to gravity x10-8(m/s2)

978137560

978137550

978137540
g = (9.78 137 556 + 0.00 000 004) m/s2

978137530
1x10-8

978137520
2012-07-18 2012-07-19
Date

※ Latitude/Longitude/Altitude : N = -6.355542°, E=106.660876°, h = 68 m (This

information has been provided from KIM-LIPI and used only for the correction of the
Earth Tide)
Appendix #3-3. Gravity Measurement Result at Mass Laboratory

TEST REPORT Page 3 of 3 Pages

• Client : KIM-LIPI
• Address : Kompleks PUSPIPTEK,Cisauk-Tangerang,Banten,15314 INDONESIA
• Measurement Site : Geodetic Laboratory
• Measurement Date : 19th July 2012 ~ 20th July 2012
• Measurement Equipment : FG5x-104

• Method of the measurement : Free-fall

• Reference height : 138.6 cm (from the top of the marker)
• Earth tide correction - ETGTAB (Longman)
• Polar motion correction - IAGBN Formula
• Nominal atmospheric pressure - 1,000 hPa

• Measurement Details :
Number of Sets Processed : 26 (Std. dev. of Sets = 3.2×10-8 m/s2)
Number of Drops/Set : 100
Total Drops Accepted : 2,587

• Measurement Result :
g = 978 136 530 ´ 10-8 m/s2
Expanded uncertainty(U) = 4 ´ 10-8 m/s2
Coverage Factor : k=2
Level of confidence : Approximately 95 %

※ Latitude/Longitude/Altitude : N = -6.355363°, E=106.660876°, h = 72 m (This

information has been provided from KIM-LIPI and used only for the correction of the
Earth Tide)