AFORS - Autonomous Fiber Optic Rotational Seismograph as a System for Continuous Monitoring the Rotational Seismic Events

We outline the development and application of the Autonomous Fibre-Optic Rotational Seismograph (AFORS), which utilizes the Sagnac effect for a direct measurement of seismic rotation. The main advantage of AFORS is it complete insensitivity to linear motions as well as a direct measurement of rotational components emitted during seismic events. The presented system contains a special autonomous signal processing unit which optimizes its operation for the measurement of rotation motions, whereas applied telemetric system based on the Internet allows for a remote AFORS control. The laboratory investigation of the two such devices indicated they keep accuracy no less than 5.1·10-9 to 5.5·10-8 rad/s in the frequency bandpass from 0.83 Hz to 106.15 Hz with protect linear changes of sensitivity in above bandpass. The experimental results of AFORS-1 application for continuous monitoring the rotational events in the Ksiaz (Poland) seismological observatory are also presented.