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This paper presents some current or potential applications in metrology based on the diamagnetism of pyrolytic carbon (PyC). The magnetic repulsion force acting between a piece of PyC subjected to a magnetic flux can be used as magnetic spring either to control the position of the sensitive sensor element or to detect changes of a physical quantity to be measured. The first part of this paper provides examples briefly described of devices based on the diamagnetism of PyC for measuring mechanical quantities. There are two main configurations for magnetic levitation: one, used for measuring acceleration or inclination for instance, is based on the levitation of a PyC tile above a magnet or set of magnets; In the other, used to measure forces caused for example by contact or buoyancy, it is the permanent magnet that is levitated at a stable height above a fixed PyC tile. The second part describes current work at the Laboratoire Commun de Métrologie (LCM-LNE/CNAM) on the development of new laser power sensors using either diamagnetic force changes by photothermal excitation of electrons or diamagnetic torsion spring.

In the French watt balance experiment, the translation and rotation functions must have no backlash, no friction, nor the need for lubricants. In addition errors in position and movement must be below 100 nm. Flexure hinges can meet all of these criteria. Different materials, profile shapes and machining techniques have been studied. The flexure pivots have been characterized using three techniques: 1) an optical microscope and, if necessary, a SEM to observe the surface inhomogeneities; 2) a mass comparator to determine the bending stiffness of unloaded pivots; 3) a loaded beam oscillating freely under vacuum to study the dynamic behavior of loaded pivots.

Abstract This paper describes a radiation pressure meter based on a diamagnetic spring. We take advantage of the diamagnetic property of pyrolytic carbon to make an elementary levitated system. It is equivalent to a torsional spring-mass-damper system consisting of a small pyrolytic carbon disc levitated above a permanent magnet array. There are several possible measurement modes. In this paper, only the angular response to an optical power single-step is described. An optical detection composed of a laser diode, a mirror and a position sensitive detector (PSD) allow measurement of the angular deflection proportional to the voltage delivered by the PSD. Once the parameters of the levitated system depending on its geometrical and physical characteristics have been determined regardless of any optical power, by applying a simple physical law, one can deduce the value of the optical power to be measured from the measurement of the first maximum of the output voltage amplitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a preliminary analysis for designing a force comparator to be used in the French watt balance experiment. The first stage of this experiment consists in a static equilibrium, by means of a mechanical beam balance, between a gravitational force (a weight of an artefact having a known mass submitted to the acceleration due to the gravity) and a vertical electromagnetic force acting on a coil driven by a current subject to the magnetic induction field provided by a permanent magnet. The principle of the force comparison in the French experiment is explained. The general design configuration of the force balance using flexure strips as pivots is discussed and theoretical calculation results based on realistic assumptions of the static and dynamic behaviors of the balance are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]