Diamagnetic Levitation of Gyroscopes with Dynamic Control

Anchor losses significantly limit the quality factor (Q) in MEMS resonators such as gyroscopes. This work demonstrates a zero-energy diamagnetic levitation scheme for a Dual-Shell Resonator Gyroscope (DSG), using a custom 3D-printed NdFeB magnet and pyrolytic graphite stabilizers for passive, contactless support. Stable levitation of a ~ 1.1 g mass is achieved with a 3.8-4.4 mT magnetic field and <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$-71\mu \mathrm{T}/\text{mm}$</tex> gradient, while integrated coils enable PID-controlled height adjustment (<tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\sim 750\mu \mathrm{m}$</tex> range) at ~1.9mW. Under AC drive near 20kHz, out-of-vacuum vibration amplitudes remain limited by air damping, but simulations predict significantly larger resonant responses in vacuum. This compact, low-power approach offers a promising avenue for high-Q inertial sensing.