Developing suspension hardware for next generation gravitational wave detectors

重力研究所是目前和未来引力波探测器悬浮硬件开发的领导者。我们目前提供支持aLIGO探测器及其A+升级的技术。事实上，全单片熔融二氧化硅悬浮液的开发是降低aLIGO仪器热噪声底的关键一步，使他们能够在2015年探测到第一次引力波。该项目将进一步为目前正在规划/开发的第三代仪器开发悬浮技术。这可能包括位于美国的宇宙探索者探测器或位于欧洲的爱因斯坦望远镜高频仪器。这些设计的共同之处在于需要开发一种能够将悬挂质量增加到200-400kg（与aLIGO的40kg相比）的全单片悬架。最后的悬挂阶段也将增加，以进一步改善热噪声性能。该项目将专注于为第三代探测器开发一种完全工程设计的悬架，特别关注最有效的方法来拉熔融硅纤维，将其焊接到测试质量连接耳的两侧，以及耳本身的设计，以确保它们满足悬架的结构要求。

The Institute for Gravitational Research is a leader in the development of suspension hardware for current and future gravitational wave detectors. We currently provide the technology which underpins the aLIGO detectors and their A+ upgrade. Indeed it was the development of fully monolithic fused silica suspensions which was an essential step to lower the thermal noise floor of the aLIGO instruments to enable them to detect the first gravitational waves in 2015.This project will further develop suspension technology for the third generation instruments currently under panning/development. This could include a Cosmic Explorer detector located in the US or an Einstein Telescope High Frequency instrument located in Europe. In common with these designs is the need to develop a fully monolithic suspensions which is capable of increasing the suspended mass up to 200-400kg (compared to 40kg in aLIGO). The final suspension stage will also be increased to enable a further improvement in the thermal noise performance.The project will focus on developing a fully engineered suspension for a third generation detector, focussing in particular on the most efficient way to pull fused silica fibres, weld them onto the sides of the test mass attachment ears, and the design of the ears themselves, to ensure that they meet the structural requirements of the suspensions.