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

这项重大研究仪器(MRI)计划拨款支持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。全球环形激光网络有可能提供非常敏感的(10-8)大地测量，包括地球自转速度或日长测量的波动、极摆动、固体固体潮汐和地震波的旋转分量。该开发项目支持学术环境中的传感器开发，并将向学生传授光学陀螺仪和影响这些灵敏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职员工和学生与当地一家航空航天工程公司(BEI传感器和系统公司)之间的合作，该公司有兴趣为环形激光器的潜在商业应用开发提供帮助。BEI将为Hendrix学生提供实习计划，以获得与航空航天工程师合作的经验。PI还与阿肯色大学和地区地震学家开展了合作，他们对应用环形激光数据作为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感兴趣。*

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.***