A new class of monolithic seismometers and accelerometers for commercial and industrial applications: the UNISA folded pendulum

Abstract

In this paper we present monolithic implementations of tunable mechanical seismometers and accelerometers (horizontal, vertical and angular) based on the UNISA Folded Pendulum configuration, protected by three international patents and commercially available. Typical characteristics are measurement band 10⁻⁷ / 1kHz, sensitivity down to ≈ 10^-15 m/ √ Hz, directivity > 10⁴, weight < 1.5 kg, dimensions < 10 cm, coupled to a large insensitivity to environmental noises and capability of operating in ultra high vacuum and cryogenic environments. Typical applications of this class of sensors are in the field of earthquake engineering, seismology, geophysics, civil engineering (buildings, bridges, dams, etc.), space (inertial guide).