Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The goal of this proposal is to purchase and install a laser Doppler vibrometer for high-frequency measurement of displacements of nano-, micro-, and macro-structures at SFU-Surrey. Uniquely in the market, the requested system offers sub-nm resolution in measurement of vibrations up to 24MHz. Access to the requested vibrometer is critical to address the immediate needs of several groundbreaking research programs and projects by the co-applicants. We are conducting fundamental research on depletion-region actuators for micro- and nano-resonators, a novel family of silicon devices with potential to revolutionize the field of microsystem design and application. The vibrometer will be used to characterize the dynamic response of the fabricated devices, which produce displacements on the order of few nm with resonant frequencies in the megahertz range. The vibrometer will also be used to conduct fundamental studies on nonlinearities at micro-scales. Characterization of two novel inertial sensors, an ultra-sensitive accelerometer and a nonlinear gyroscope based on internal resonance, will depend on access to this system. Finally, it will be employed in the study of biomechanics of spine and spinal cord where a non-contact displacement measurement technique will lead to unprecedented research on neurospine injuries. A system with similar capabilities is not available across the university or nearby institutions. We therefore rely on NSERC RTI grants as our only means of raising the funds to purchase and install this system. Once installed, the system will be integral to the training of the HQP in research conducted by the co-applicants as well as other researchers who can benefit from its capabilities. Timely access to this equipment will put us at the forefront of research internationally, be essential for the training of graduate students, and lead to scientific and economic benefits to Canada.