High Shock Wide Dynamic Range Diamond Accelerometer

Physitron (with support from Vanderbilt University) proposes the development of an innovative microelectronic solid state accelerometer using a doped diamond membrane as a piezoresistive sensor. Diamond offers extremely high values of strength, stiffness, and hardness which makes feasible its use under extreme conditions not possible with other materials. Piezoresistive sensors have precedent in high-g applications, most of them being derived from silicon-based technology. The material properties of diamond, six times stiffer and 500 times stronger than silicon, will provide considerably enhanced performance (more than 10X) in high-g environments. Diamond sensors offer the potential to meet AF requirements using the same instrumentation and sensor techniques which are presently in place. Phase I of the proposed work will design, build, test and deliver a diamond-based accelerometer demonstrating technical feasibility. The Phase II program will then develop a full-scale diamond accelerometer which can be applied to field testing.