Ultra-miniature Inertial Measurement Sensor

To address the Missile Defense Agency"s need to accurately measure inertial movement in a stressing flight environment, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Miniature Inertial Measurement Sensor (MIMS). This proposed sensor is based on a solid-state accelerometer design with a semiconductor laser diode self-mixing interferometric technique and a microsphere gyroscope based on whispering gallery modes. Self-mixing interferometers and high-Q microresonators with whispering gallery modes are among POC"s mature technologies. We plan to combine these technologies to develop a less expensive and ultraminiature inertial measurement unit suitable for the flight environment. The innovative sensor design will enable fabrication of ultraminiature sensors capable of accurately measuring inertial movement. In Phase I, POC will test the feasibility of the proposed sensor system and carry out an experimental demonstration of sensor operation. In Phase II, POC plans to fabricate the full sensor system and proof of concept testing at government facilities.