United States/New Zealand Cooperative Effort in Ringlaser Construction

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This award will support collaborative research between Dr. Hans R. Bilger of Oklahoma State University and Dr. G. E. Stedman of the University of Canterbury, Christchurch. The investigators intend to complete construction and attain operation of a high-resolution ringlaser at the University of Canterbury, and to use the instrument to measure geophysical effects such as seismic action and earth tides. The collaboration is a productive blend of the experimental skills of Dr. Bilger with more theoretical interests of Dr. Stedman regarding the use of ringlasers to measure geophysical, atomic spectroscopic, and general relativistic effects. Sensing and recording earth tides and seismic activity through the use of lasers is novel, and this project should significantly advance assessment of the instrument to these applications. In addition, the site of the ringlaser should allow more exact measurement of seismic activities from the nearby, very active Pacific Plate boundary.//