MRI/RUI Development of a Large Ring Laser Interferometer for Earth Science Measurements

[0321183dunn]这项主要研究仪器（MRI）计划资助了亨德里克斯学院用于地球科学测量的大型环形激光干涉仪的开发，以补充全球其他大型环形激光器。环形激光器的全球网络有可能提供非常灵敏的（10-8）大地测量，包括地球自转速率波动或日长测量、极地摆动、固体地潮和地震波的旋转分量。该开发项目支持传感器在学术环境中的开发，并将向学生传授光学陀螺仪和影响这些敏感仪器的自然现象的知识。该项目还将促进亨德里克斯学院教师和学生与当地航空航天工程公司（BEI传感器和系统）之间的合作，该公司有兴趣协助开发环形激光器，以实现其潜在的商业应用。BEI将为亨德里克斯的学生提供实习项目，以获得与航空航天工程师一起工作的经验。PI还与阿肯色大学和对环形激光数据应用感兴趣的地区地震学家开展合作，作为对美国中部新马德里断层系统附近现有大地测量和地震网络的补充***

0321183DunnThis Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program grant supports the development of a large ring laser interferometer for earth science measurements at Hendrix College to complement other large ring lasers located around the globe. A global network of ring lasers has the potential to provide for very sensitive (10-8) geodetic measurements including fluctuations in the earth's rotation rate or length of day measurements, polar wobble, solid earth tides and the rotational component of seismic waves. The development project supports sensor development in an academic setting and will serve to impart students with knowledge of optical gyroscopes and the natural phenomena that affect these sensitive instruments. The project will also foster collaborations between Hendrix College faculty and students and a local aerospace engineering firm (BEI Sensor and Systems) that is interested in assisting with development of the ring laser for its potential commercial applications. BEI will offer an internship program for Hendrix students to gain experience working with aerospace engineers. The PI has also developed collaborations with University of Arkansas and regional seismologists interested in applications of ring laser data as a complement to existing geodetic and seismic networks proximal to the New Madrid fault system in the central U.S.***