TUM Researchers Measure Earth’s Rotation at Unprecedented Level
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have succeeded in measuring the Earth’s rotation more precisely than ever before. The upgraded ring laser at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell can now provide data at a quality level unmatched anywhere in the world.
The improved ring laser at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell now has the capability to capture high-quality data on a daily basis, something that was not previously possible. The ring laser measures fluctuations in the Earth’s rotation, which can provide valuable insights for climate research, allowing for the creation of accurate climate models and a better understanding of weather phenomena such as El Niño.
The upgraded ring laser system overcomes previous challenges such as the need for a balance between size and mechanical stability, and the need to correct for the symmetry of the two opposed laser beams. The revisions have resulted in a corrective algorithm that can measure the Earth’s rotation at an unprecedented level of precision.
The newly improved ring laser is now capable of measuring the Earth’s rotation down to 9 decimal places, corresponding to a fraction of a millisecond per day. With shorter measurement periods now possible, the device can capture current data every three hours.
Urs Hugentobler, Professor for Satellite Geodesy at TUM, highlighted the significance of the new capabilities, stating that the high time resolution levels are novel for standalone ring lasers. The device also functions independently and does not require reference points in space, which sets it apart from other systems.
Ring lasers consist of a closed, square beam path with four mirrors enclosed in a resonator. The laser measures the difference in the frequencies of two light waves, which creates a beat note that can be measured with great precision. The construction of the ring laser, anchored to solid bedrock and housed in a pressurized chamber, has been developed over almost two decades of research.
The study detailing the improved ring laser system has been published in the journal Nature Photonics.
TUM’s achievement in improving the ring laser system at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell provides valuable insights into the Earth’s rotation and has the potential to significantly advance climate research and weather prediction accuracy.
The research has been published in the journal Nature Photonics and is made available by Technical University Munich.