Analysis of electromagnetic properties of superconducting suspension system for gravity measurement
A type of superconducting suspension system for gravity measurement was introduced, and the principle and feasibility was discussed. System modeling and simulation analysis was carried out by ANSOFT, and optimization of structural position was finally completed. Analysis shows that, the system was exceptionally stable with a magnetic force gradient small enough to observe gravity changes. For systems with a superconducting sphere weighed of 15 g, the gravity measurement accuracy could reach 1 nano-Gal.
Superconductivity applied to gravimetry
A gravimeter has been developed which uses the levitation of a superconducting sphere by the field of persistent current magnets. Instabilities in the field have been reduced to the point where environmental noise on local gravity is greater than the instrument noise. In present results the persistent currents are decaying at a rate of 2 parts in 107/yr. Concurrent measurements of magnetic field and gravimeter signal allows for correction of this drift. The device is being applied to geophysical problems through measurements of: secular variations in local gravity, tides of the solid earth, effects of oceans and atmosphere on local gravity, and normal modes of the earth.
Variations common to the interplanetary magnetic field, the zonal atmospheric circulation and the earth's rotation
A study of the cyclic fluctuations in the earth's rotation, the geomagnetic field, the global atmospheric circulation and solar activity reveals the existence of 50-day and 120-day oscillations common to all. Our results, as well as the results obtained by radiometric measurements from the satellites Nimbus-7 and the Solar Maximum Mission (Wilson 1982; Pap 1985), suggest that their origin lies in the physical processes in the sun. The mechanism remains unexplained but from this work it follows that the role of the interplanetary magnetic field could very well be important.