Prat-Camps, Jordi, Teo, C, Rusconi, C C, Wieczorek, W and Romero-Isart, O (2017) Ultrasensitive inertial and force sensors with diamagnetically levitated magnets. Physical Review Applied, 8 (034002). ISSN 2331-7019

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Abstract

We theoretically show that a magnet can be stably levitated on top of a punctured superconductor sheet in the Meissner state without applying any external field. The trapping potential created by such induced-only superconducting currents is characterized for magnetic spheres ranging from tens of nanometers to tens of millimeters. Such a diamagnetically levitated magnet is predicted to be extremely well isolated from the environment. We propose to use it as an ultrasensitive force and inertial sensor. A magnetomechanical readout of its displacement can be performed by using superconducting quantum interference devices. An analysis using current technology shows that force and acceleration sensitivities on the order of 10−23  N/√Hz (for a 100-nm magnet) and 10−14  g/√Hz (for a 10-mm magnet) might be within reach in a cryogenic environment. Such remarkable sensitivities, both in force and acceleration, can be used for a variety of purposes, from designing ultrasensitive inertial sensors for technological applications (e.g., gravimetry, avionics, and space industry), to scientific investigations on measuring Casimir forces of magnetic origin and gravitational physics.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	School of Engineering and Informatics > Informatics
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics > QC0081 Weights and measures Q Science > QC Physics > QC0501 Electricity and magnetism > QC0750 Magnetism
Depositing User:	Jordi Prat Camps
Date Deposited:	24 Apr 2018 13:47
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2018 13:51
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/75372

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