Investigation of energy losses in different vibrational modes of tactical grade micro gyroscope

We report on the results of the experimental investigation of the relation between the dissipation and the type of actuation (different vibrational modes), of a novel tactical-grade single axis tuning fork gyroscope. We show that the quality factor limit measured at the skew-symmetric translation mode (Q=45000) is 40% lower than at the symmetric drive mode (Q=82000). The variation of the quality factor with temperature was studied as well. The quality factor of a device placed in a high vacuum package at 85 °C (Q=130000) is 60% lower of that at -20 °C (Q=51000).