Compact Tiltmeter

with
Folded Pendulum
Akiteru Takamori
Earthquake Research Institute,
University of Tokyo

In Collaboration with:
Alessandro Bertolini (Universita di’ Pisa)
Riccardo DeSalvo (California Institute of Technology)

3/24/2004 Broadband Seismometer Workshop, Lake Tahoe 1

 Introduction

Basic Idea
Driver
Active P ower Consu ming Comp. Bi-Directional Optical Link
May Require Maintena nce Power Supply
S ignal Delivery
Robust Connection
Suit ab le for Long Distance
E M Noi se , Chemical Resistant

Ocean

Deep Borehole

Instrument (Tiltmeter)
Compact Low . Freq. Pend.
Passive Components Only
Reliable, Maintenance Free
Operation

3/24/2004 Broadband Seismometer Workshop, Lake Tahoe 2

 Key Technologies

Tiltmeter
Principle

Transducer ?
l Pendulum

x
x+dx

− Sensing: Bob Displacement

− Pendulum: Mechanical Amplifier dx = lθ
Pendulum Length l∝ 1 / ω 0 : Amplification Gain

⇒ Lower Resonant Freq. = Higher Gain

3/24/2004 Broadband Seismometer Workshop, Lake Tahoe 3
 Key Technologies

Example of Folded Pendulum

Accelerometer for GW Detector
Precise Monolithic Construction
− Minimizes Cross-Coupling
Ultra-thin Flexures for Hinges
−
Frame
Reduce Residual Elastic Force
Key to Realize Low Resonant Freq.
− Achieved Res. Freq. < 500 mHz
Inverted Pendulum
− Machined by Electropolishing : ~ 30 mm
− Flexures under Tension
Avoid Buckling Normal Pendulum

Payload
Flexures / Hinges

20 cm

20 cm
3/24/2004 Broadband Seismometer Workshop, Lake Tahoe 4
 Key Technologies

Precision Micro Machining

Electropolishing
Routinely Used for Surface Treatment
− Reduce Surface Roughness to Submicron Level
Machining Precision: ~ 1  m 

− Optimization of Current and Density, Temperature,

Flow in Electrolytic Liquid etc.

~170 ? m 30 ? m

3/24/2004 Broadband Seismometer Workshop, Lake Tahoe 5

 Key Technologies

New Tiltmeter Mechanics

Compactness
Dimension: ~ few cm Cube
Key: Improving Flexures
− Reduces Residual Elasticity
− Reduced (< 30 m) Thickness
Target Res. Freq. : 500 mHz
− Corresponds 1 m Pendulum
Mechanical Gain: ~ 20 - 50

Conceptual Design

3/24/2004 Broadband Seismometer Workshop, Lake Tahoe 6

 Key Technologies

Optical Transducer
Optical Lever / Fiber Photointerrupter
Target Sensitivity: 10-10 m (cf. Laser IFO 10-11
m)
Light Source: Laser or LED?
− Power Loss in Fiber vs. Available Power
− Coherent Length affects sensitivity?
Produces Linear Signal
− Defines Unique Operating Point
Requires some R&D Effort
− Intensity Modulation
− Drift of Fiber Position?

3/24/2004 Broadband Seismometer Workshop, Lake Tahoe 7

 Key Technologies

Optical Actuator
Wireless Electro-Magnetic Actuator
Utilizing Si Solar Cell
− Directly Connected to Voice Coil
Fully Passive Components near Instrument
Electro-Magnetic Interaction
− ~ few mA, mN Force Easily Achievable
Sufficient to Control Small FP
− Strong Dependency on Temperature

Requires External Calibration on Site

− Photon Drive?

3/24/2004 Broadband Seismometer Workshop, Lake Tahoe 8

 Summary

Summary
Key Technologies and Scientific Gain
Compact & Precise Low Freq. Mechanics
⇒ Allow Instrum. to Fit Tight Space (ex. Boreholes)
Achieve High Mobility
Realize Nearly Identical Instrments
Optical Link
⇒ Reliable Operation at Remote Sites / in Hazardous
Environment
Optical Transducer & Actuator
⇒ Passive and Reliable
Calibration on the Site: Photon Drive
Can be converted to Seismometer R&D.
3/24/2004 Broadband Seismometer Workshop, Lake Tahoe 9