This PhD project aims to significantly enhance the sensitivity of the Wee-g MEMS gravimeter, a precision accelerometer developed at the University of Glasgow. Currently at TRL5, the Wee-g has demonstrated field performance in environmental monitoring and geophysical applications, including deployments on active volcanoes and for water table monitoring.
The project will focus on replacing the existing capacitive comb readout with a miniaturised interferometric system, leveraging expertise and infrastructure from the Institute for Gravitational Research. The new readout aims to improve sensitivity by an order of magnitude, enabling either enhanced signal-to-noise performance or increased resonant frequency for improved field robustness.
Key Objectives:
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Interferometric Readout Development
- Design and integrate a compact free-space interferometer using commercial small-form-factor optics.
- Align with existing 10m interferometry expertise at 1064 nm and 1550 nm.
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Squeezed Light Integration
- Explore the use of squeezed light sources to suppress shot noise by a factor of two, enhancing readout precision at frequencies above 1 kHz.
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System Integration and Testing
- Validate the new readout system in laboratory settings and prepare for field deployment.
- Compare performance against existing capacitive systems and quantify improvements in sensitivity and robustness.
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Commercialisation Pathway
- Support the spinout Quantrologee, a joint venture between the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, to deliver a dual gravity-magnetic sensor platform.
Training and Impact:
The student will gain hands-on experience in precision optical sensing, MEMS instrumentation, interferometry, and quantum-enhanced measurement techniques, contributing to the next generation of portable, high-sensitivity gravimetric sensors for applications in environmental monitoring, civil engineering, and national security.