FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS IN METROLOGY INTERFEROMETER UTILIZING FREE MASSES AS A DEVICE FOR MEASURING GRAVITATIONAL GRADIENTS

摘要

A Fabry-Perot-Michelson optical interferometer utilizing suspended mirrors is considered as a deice for measuring low-frequency variations of the Earth's gravitational field. The operating principles of the instrument. The system for maintaining the angular alignment of the mirrors at the operating point, and a simplified model of the gravitational field are all described. The variations of the field at the location of the interferometer are modeled numerically and estimates are given of the magnitudes of the measurable effects.