Cryogenic Interferometry and Suspension Development for Future Gravitational Wave Detectors.

未来的引力波探测器，如爱因斯坦望远镜，将对悬挂的测试质量镜进行低温冷却，以降低热噪声对探测器灵敏度的影响。需要一种结合低温材料研究、整体悬浮液组装、低温冷却和地震隔离的方法来证明这项关键技术在未来探测器中的可行性。这意味着这项研究非常及时、新颖，将对爱因斯坦望远镜的研究领域和最终设计产生强烈影响。在这项工作中，将研究低温硅和蓝宝石光纤作为格拉斯哥原型干涉仪的候选材料的热和机械性能。这将是单片悬浮低温冷却激光干涉仪的首次演示，这是未来引力波探测器所需的关键技术演示。该项目将开发表征导热系数、机械强度和损耗的实验技术，使实验适应低温，并对用新的制造和粘合技术生产的样品进行新的表征。

Future gravitational wave detectors such as the Einstein Telescope will use cryogenic cooling of the suspended test-mass mirrors to reduce the impact of thermal noise of the detector sensitivity. A methodology that combines cryogenic materials studies, monolithic suspensions assembly, cryogenic cooling, and seismic isolation is needed to prove the viability of this critical technology for future detectors. Meaning this research is extremely timely, novel, and will have a strong impact on the research field and the final design of the Einstein Telescope. In this work the thermal and mechanical properties of cryogenic silicon and sapphire fibres will be investigated as candidate materials for the Glasgow prototype interferometer using cryogenically cooled monolithic suspended optics. This would be the first demonstration of a monolithical suspended and cryogenically cooled laser interferometer, a key technology demonstration needed for future gravitational wave detectors. The project will develop experimental techniques for characterisation of thermal conductivity, mechanical strength and loss, adapting experiments to low cryogenic temperatures, and performing new characterisation of samples produced with novel fabrication and bonding techniques.