Mems seismology
- 1. MEMS Applications in Seismology Nov 11, 2009 Seismic Instrumentation Technology Symposium B. John Merchant Technical Staff Sandia National Laboratories Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy!s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.
- 2. Outline • Overview of MEMS Technology • MEMS Accelerometers • Seismic Requirements • Commercial Availability • Noise & Detection Theory • Current R & D Efforts • Outlook
- 3. What are MEMS? Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Features range from 1 to 100 microns. Similar fabrication techniques as Integrated Circuits (IC). However, MEMS fabrication is a trickier process due to the incorporation of mechanical features Distinguished from traditional mechanical systems more by their materials and Courtesy of Sandia National Laboratories, SUMMiTTM Technologies, www.mems.sandia.gov methods of fabrication than by feature size.
- 4. What are MEMS? Materials Fabrication Applications Silicon Deposition Automotive air bags Single-crystal silicon Electroplating Inkjet printers makes a nearly Evaporation perfect spring with DLP projectors Sputtering very stable material Consumer Electronics properties. (Cell phone, Game Lithography Controllers, etc) Photo, Electronic, Sensors (pressure, Polymers Ion, X-ray motion, RF, magnetic, etc) Metals Etching gold, nickel, chromium, Wet Etching: titanium, tungsten, Bathed in a platinum, silver. chemical solvent Dry Etching: Vapor/Plasma
- 5. Three Dominant MEMS Microfabrication Technologies Surface Bulk LIGA Micromachining Micromachining Structures formed by Structures formed by wet Structures formed by deposition and etching of and/or dry etching of mold fabrication, sacrificial and structural thin silicon substrate followed by injection films molding Silicon Groove Nozzle Membrane Substrate p++ (B) Wet Etch Patterns Poly Si Silicon Channels Holes Substrate Silicon Substrate Metal Mold Courtesy of SNL MEMS Technology short course Dry Etch Patterns
- 6. MEMS History 1989 – Lateral Comb drive at Sandia National Laboratories 1970’s - IBM develops 1986 – LIGA process 1991 – Analog Devices Decreasing Increasing a micro-machined for X-ray lithography develops the first commercial Costs Commercialization pressure sensor used in enable more refined MEMS accelerometer for air blood pressure cuffs structures bag deployment (ADXL50) 1979 - HP develops 1988 – first rotary 1994 – Deep Reactive- inkjet cartridges electro-static drive Ion Etching (DRIE) using micro- motors developed at process developed by machined nozzles UC Berkley Bosch. 1993 – Texas Instruments begins selling DLP Projectors with Digital Mirrors.
- 7. MEMS Commercial Applications Digital Mirror Device Texas Instruments Accelerometer Analog Devices Ink Jet Cartridge Hewlett Packard Micromirror switch Pressure Sensor Lucent Technologies Bosch MEMS Courtesy of SNL MEMS Technology short course
- 8. MEMS Accelerometer History 2002 – Applied MEMS (now Colibrys) releases 1991 – Air Bag low-noise Si-Flex 2006 – Nintendo Wii Sensor Analog Accelerometer: Controller (Analog Devices (ADXL50) +/- 3 g Peak Devices ADXL330). +/- 50 g Peak 300 ng/!"z Noise +/- 3 g Peak 6.6 mg/!"z Noise 350 ug/!"z Noise 2004 – Colibrys 2005 – Sercel 428XL- VectorSeis Digital 3 DSU3 Channel Accelerometer 2 – 800 Hz 2 – 1000 Hz +/- 0.5 g Peak +/- 0.335 g Peak ~40 ng/!"z Noise ~50 ng/!"z Noise
- 9. What makes a MEMS Seismometer A MEMS Accelerometer with: • Low noise floor (ng’s/!"z) • ~1 g upper range • High sensitivity Modeled as a spring-mass system Proof mass measured in milli-grams Bandwidth below the springs resonant mode (noise and response flat to acceleration)
- 10. Seismology Requirements • Noise floor (relative to the LNM) • Peak acceleration High Noise Model Low (Strong vs weak motion) Noise Model Current Best MEMS • Sensitivity • Linear dynamic range SP Target Region • Bandwidth KS54000 GS13 (short-period, long-period, broadband) Requirements are ultimately application dependent
- 11. Strong Motion Requirements Many of the strong motion requirements may be met by today’s MEMS Acclerometers: Noise < 1 ug/!"z Bandwidth > 1-2 Hz Peak 1-2 g’s Acceleration Dynamic Range ~100 dB
- 12. Weak Motion Requirements Weak motion requirements are more demanding: Noise < 1 ng/!"z Bandwidth SP: 0.1 Hz to 10’s Hz LP: < 0.01 Hz to 1’s Hz BB: 0.01 Hz to 10’s Hz Peak Acceleration < 0.25 g Dynamic Range >120 dB There are no MEMS accelerometers available today that meet the weak motion requirements.
- 13. Commercially Availability There are many manufacturer’s of Manufacturers Analog Devices MEMS Accelerometers. Bosch-Sensortec *Colibrys *Endevco Freescale Most are targeted towards consumer, *GeoSIG *Kinemetrics automotive, and industrial Kionix MEMSIC applications. *PCB *Reftek Silicon Designs STMicroelectronics Summit Instruments Only a few approach the noise levels *Sercel *Wilcoxon necessary for strong-motion *Noise Floor < 1 ug/!"z seismic applications
- 14. Colibrys Manufacturer Colibrys Colibrys Colibrys Colibrys Formerly Applied MEMS, I/O. Model SF 1500 SF 2005 SF3000 Digital-3* Oil & Gas Exploration Technology Capacitive Capacitive Capacitive Capacitive Force Feedback Output Analog Analog Analog Digital Produces VectorSeis which is Format Chip Chip Module Module Axis 1 1 3 3 sold through ION Power 100 mW 140 mW 200 mW 780 mW Acceleration +/- 3 g +/- 4 g +/- 3 g +/- 0.2 g (www.iongeo.com) Range Frequency 0 – 1500 Hz 0 – 1000 Hz 0 – 1000 Hz 0 – 1000 Hz Response Sensitivity 1.2 V/g 500 mV/g 1.2 V/g 58 ng/bit Self Noise 300 – 500 800 ng/!Hz 300 - 500 100 ng/!Hz ng/!Hz ng/!Hz Weight Not Specified Not Specified Not Specified Not Specified Size 24.4 x 24.4 x 24.4 x 24.4 x 15 80 x 80 x 57 mm 40 x 40 x 127 16.6 mm mm mm Shock Range 1500 g 1500 g 1000 g 1500 g Temperature -40 to 125 "C -40 to 85 "C -40 to 85 "C -40 to 85 "C *discontinued
- 15. Endevco, PCB, Wilcoxon Manufacturer Endevco Endevco Model Model 86 Model 87 Technology Piezoelectric Piezoelectric Not strictly MEMS, but they are small Output Format Analog Module Analog Module and relatively low-noise. Axis 1 1 Power 200 mW 200 mW Acceleration Range +/- 0.5 g +/- 0.5 g Frequency Response 0.003 – 200 Hz 0.05 – 380 Hz All three companies make fairly Sensitivity 10 V/g 10 V/g 39 ng/!Hz @ 2 Hz 90 ng/!Hz @ 2 Hz similar Piezoelectric accelerometers Self Noise 11 ng/!Hz @ 10 Hz 25 ng/!Hz @ 10 Hz 4 ng/!Hz @ 100 Hz 10 ng/!Hz @ 100 Hz Weight 771 grams 170 grams Industrial and Structural applications Size 62 x 62 x 53 mm 29.8 x 29.8 x 56.4 mm Shock Range 250 g 400 g Temperature -10 to 100 "C -20 to 100 "C
- 16. Kinemetrics Manufacturer Kinemetrics Kinemetrics Strong motion, seismic measurement Model Technology EpiSensor ES-T Capacitive MEMS EpiSensor ES-U2 Capacitive MEMS Output Analog Analog Format Module Module Force Balance Accelerometer Axis 3 1 Power 144 mW 100 mW Acceleration +/- 0.25 g +/- 0.25 g Range Available in single and three axis Frequency 0 – 200 Hz 0 – 200 Hz configurations Response Sensitivity 10 V/g 10 V/g Self Noise 60 ng/!Hz 60 ng/!Hz Weight Not Specified 350 grams Size 133 x 133 x 62 mm 55 x 65 x 97mm Shock Range Not Specified Not Specified Temperature -20 to 70 "C -20 to 70 "C
- 17. Reftek Manufacturer Reftek Strong motion measurement for Model 131A* seismic, structural, industrial Technology Capacitive MEMS Output Analog monitoring Format Module Axis 3 Power 600 mW Available in single, three axis, and Acceleration +/- 3.5 g borehole configurations Range Frequency 0 – 400 Hz Response Sensitivity 2 V/g Self Noise 200 ng/!Hz Weight 1000 grams Size 104 x 101 x 101 mm Shock Tolerance 500 g Temperature -20 to 60 "C * uses Colibrys Accelerometers
- 18. Sercel Manufacturer Sercel Used in tomography studies for Oil & Gas Exploration Model DSU3-428 Technology Capacitive MEMS Sold as complete turn-key systems and not available Output Digital for individual sales Format Module Axis 3 Power 265 mW Acceleration +/- 0.5 g Range Frequency 0 – 800 Hz Response Sensitivity Not Specified Self Noise 40 ng/!Hz Weight 430 grams Size 159.2 x 70 x 194 mm Shock Range Not Specified Temperature -40 to 70 "C
- 19. MEMS accelerometers Advantages • Small • Can be low power, for less sensitive sensors. • High frequency bandwidth (~ 1 kHz) Disadvantages • Active device, requires power • Poor noise and response at low frequencies (< 1 Hz), largely due to small mass, 1/f noise, or feedback control corner. • Noise floor flat to acceleration, exacerbates noise issues at low frequency (< 1 Hz)
- 20. Theoretical Noise Thermo-mechanical noise for a cantilevered spring Two main sources of noise: • Thermo-mechanical 4kbT"0 1 an = – Brownian motion Q!m Hz – Spring imperfections • Electronic – Electronics – Detection of mass position – Noise characteristics unique to detection technique Traditional MEMS Accelerometer Seismometer Large mass (100’s of Small mass (milligrams) grams) Thermo-mechanical noise Thermo-mechanical is small noise dominates Electronic noise Same electronic noise dominates issue as traditional
- 21. Detection of mass position Variety of ways to determine mass-position – Piezoelectric / Piezoresistive – Capacitive – Inductive – Magnetic – Fluidic – Optical (diffraction, fabry-perot, michelson)
- 22. Capacitive Detection The most common method of mass position detection for current MEMS accelerometers is capacitive. Colibrys bulk-micromachined proof mass sandwiched between differential capacitive Capacitance is a weak sensing plates mechanism and force (for feedback contrl) which necessitates small masses (milligrams) and small distances (microns). Feedback control employed for quietest solutions. Differential sampling for noise cancelation. Silicon Designs capacitive plate with a pedestal and torsion bar.
- 23. R&D Challenges • Large proof mass and weak springs required. This makes for a delicate instrument. • Capacitance less useful as a detection and feedback mechanism for larger masses. • Feedback control required to achieve desired dynamic range and sensitivity. • R&D requires access to expensive MEMS fabrication facility • 1/f electronic noise could limit low-frequency
- 24. DOE Funded R&D Projects • Several posters on display • Additional details and proceedings available at http://www.monitoringresearchreview.com/ • Characteristics: – Significantly larger proof mass (0.25 – 2 grams) – Non-capacitive mass position sensing (inductive, optical, fluidic) – Feedback control
- 25. DOE Funded R&D Projects Kinemetrics / Imperial College • Inductive coil with force feedback • Proof mass of 0.245 grams • 0.1 - 40 Hz bandwidth, resonant mode at 11.5 Hz • Demonstrated noise performance of 2-3 ng/!Hz over 0.04 – 0.1 Hz, higher noise at frequencies > 0.1 Hz Symphony Acoustics • Fabry-Perot optical cavity • Proof mass of 1 gram • 0.1 - 100Hz bandwidth • Demonstrated noise performance of 10 ng/!Hz • Theoretical noise performance of 0.5 ng/!Hz
- 26. DOE Funded R&D Projects Photo Reflective Folded Sandia National Laboratories Diodes Surface Springs • Large proof mass (1 gram, tungsten) • Meso-scale proof mass with MEMS diffraction grating and springs. • Optical diffraction grating • Theoretical thermo-mechanical noise 0.2 ng/!Hz over 0.1 to 40 Hz Optical Proof Mass Proof Fixed Grating Frame Mass Frame Silicon Audio • Large proof mass (2 gram) • Meso-scale construction with MEMS diffraction grating • Optical diffraction grating • 0.1 to 100 Hz target bandwidth • Theoretical thermo-mechanical noise 0.5 ng/!Hz over 1 to 100 Hz
- 27. DOE Funded R&D Projects PMD Scientific, Inc. • Electrochemical fluid passing through a membrane • Theoretical noise 0.5 ng/!Hz over 0.02 to 16 Hz Michigan Aerospace Corp. • Whispering Gallery Seismometer • Optical coupling between a strained dielectric microsphere and an optical fiber • Theoretical noise of 10 ng/!Hz
- 28. 5 year outlook • Over the next 5 years, there is a strong potential for at least one of the DOE R&D MEMS Seismometer projects to reach the point of commercialization. • This would mean a MEMS Accelerometer with: – a noise floor under the < LNM (~ 0.4 ng/!Hz) – Bandwidth between 0.1 and 100 Hz, – > 120 dB of dynamic range – small ( < 1 inch^3). – Low power (10’s mW)
- 29. Enabling Applications • Flexible R&D deployments • Why simply connect a miniaturized transducer onto a traditional seismic system? • Will require highly integrated packages: Power Antenna Source – Digitizer Battery Radio / – Microcontroller Backup Ethernet – GPS orientation Storage Compass Microprocessor •Waveforms – Flash storage •Data Retrieval •Parameters •Algorithms – Communications GPS location, •Communications •Detection templates – Battery time waveform time series 3-axis Accelerometer
- 30. 10 year outlook • MEMS Accelerometers have only been commercially available for ~18 years. • Where were things 10 years ago? • Further expansion into long period (~ 0.01 Hz) • Small, highly integrated seismic systems
- 31. Questions?