Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices for Gravity Wave Detection

韦尔斯坦德教授将与斯坦福大学、路易斯安那州立大学和马里兰大学的实验重力波研究小组合作，设计、建造和测试灵敏的直流超导量子干涉器件(SQUID)测量系统，这些系统专门配置用于超低温韦伯棒重力波天线。在测量频率为1 kHz，温度为50mK时，SQUID系统的能量灵敏度将在2年内达到100h/2，在3年内达到10h/2。为了确保在现实条件下对系统进行测试，SQUID的性能将在超导共振运动换能器和传统屏蔽良好的低温探头上进行测量。在两个测试期结束时，将交付一个具有适当灵敏度的工作SQUID测量系统，以便安装到冷却到50MK的天线中。在超低温天线上使用高性能的SQUID测量系统，将大大提高天线对引力辐射的灵敏度，并有更好的可能性首次实际探测引力辐射。

In collaboration with experimental gravity wave research groups at Stanford University, Louisiana State University and the University of Maryland, Prof. Wellstood will design, construct and test sensitive dc Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) measuring systems which are specifically configured for use in ultralow temperature Weber-bar gravity wave antennas. At a measuring frequency of 1 kHz and a temperature of 50 mK, the SQUID systems will achieve an energy sensitivity of 100 h/2 within 2 years and 10 h/2 within 3 years. To ensure testing of the systems under realistic conditions, the performance of the SQUIDs will be measured on superconducting resonant motion transducers as well as in conventional well-shielded cryogenic probes. At the end of the two test periods, a working SQUID measuring system with the appropriate sensitivity will be delivered for incorporation into an antenna which is cooled to 50 mK. By using a high performance SQUID measuring system on an ultralow temperature antenna, the sensitivity of the antenna to gravitational radiation will be greatly improved, and there will be a much better possibility of actually detecting gravitational radiation for the first time.