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GP-B Post-Flight Analysis—Final Report - Gravity Probe B - Stanford ...

GP-B Post-Flight Analysis—Final Report - Gravity Probe B - Stanford ...

GP-B Post-Flight Analysis—Final Report - Gravity Probe B - Stanford ...

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Figure 10-1. Gyroscope SQUID Readout SystemAs illustrated in Figure 10-1 above, changes in magnetic flux through the pick-up loop induce a current (I L ) inthe superconducting pick-up circuit, which is coupled to the SQUID through the mutual input inductance (M I ).The SQUID converts this current to a voltage which is read by the FLL electronics which provide a feedbackcurrent (I F ) coupled to the pick-up circuit through mutual inductance (M F ) in order to null changes in the inputcurrent (I L ). Offset and calibration currents (I O and I C ) are also coupled to the input circuit through M F . TheFLL voltage output provides a measure of the changing flux through the pick-up loop, the low-passedcomponent of which provides measure of the London Moment.The SQUID is operated in a flux-locked loop using low noise, analog electronics. Four circuits are used witheach SQUID to provide flux modulation current (at 420 kHz), dc bias current, feedback current (100 kHzbandwidth), and to receive the SQUID’s output voltage. A constant amplitude ac current source is summed intothe feedback line to provide a calibration of the system’s gain. The feedback current contains the relativity andother information. A signal proportional to this current is filtered, digitized, stored, and ultimately sent to theground. The electronics are located within a large Forward Equipment Enclosure (FEE) to prevent directexposure to the sun. The FEE has been designed to passively stabilize the temperature without causing excessiveheat build-up. In addition, key electronic components are temperature controlled.A previous paper (Lockhart, 1986) describes a multi-layered shield design to reduce both dc and ac magneticfields at the <strong>GP</strong>-B gyroscope. This shield has been designed to limit the magnetic field trapped in the rotor to auniform equivalent field of ≤ 1 μG. This shield also attenuates ac magnetic fields, which are coupled into thepickup loop as it passes through the earth’s magnetic field, by a factor greater than 10 12 .<strong>Gravity</strong> <strong>Probe</strong> B — <strong>Post</strong> <strong>Flight</strong> Analysis • Final <strong>Report</strong> March 2007 285

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