SQUID-based interferometric accelerometer

Abstract

Optics and, more recently, coherent matter waves enabled inertial sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, to reach high levels of resolution and sensitivity. As these technologies rest on physical phenomena that require particular setups and working conditions, e.g., kilometers of optical fibers or ultralow temperatures, their application range is limited because of lack of portability. Here, we propose a path forward considering a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) to detect and measure acceleration by using electronic interferometry. The basic idea is not to use a SQUID as a magnetometer in acceleration measurement setups, but as an accelerometer. The operation of such an accelerometer rests on the ability of the Cooper pairs to record their wave function phase change, as the device is subjected either to a transverse acceleration or vibrations. We provide numerical evidence for the feasibility of SQUID-based accelerometers that can be used for transverse acceleration and oscillatory motion measurement.