Superconducting Rebalance Acceleration and Rate Sensor

The goal of this program is development of a high precision multisensor based on a high Tc superconducting proof mass. Design of a prototype is currently underway. Key technical issues appear resolvable. High temperature superconductors have complicated, hysteretic flux dynamics but the forces on them can be linearly controlled for small displacements. Current data suggests that the forces on the superconductors decay over a short time frame and then stabilize, though very long term data is not available. The hysteretic force characteristics are substantial for large scale excursions, but do not appear to be an issue for the very small displacements required in this device. Sufficient forces can be exerted for non-contact suspension of a centimeter sized proof mass in a vacuum sealed, nitrogen jacket cryostat. High frequency capacitive sensing using stripline technology will yield adequate position resolution for 0.1 p.g measurements at 100 Hz. Overall, a reasonable cost, but very high accuracy system is feasible with this technology.