GEO 600 triple pendulum suspension system: Seismic isolation and control

Plissi, M.V., Torrie, C.I., Husman, M.E., Robertson, N.A., Strain, K.A. , Ward, H. , Luck, H. and Hough, J. (2000) GEO 600 triple pendulum suspension system: Seismic isolation and control. Review of Scientific Instruments, 71(6), 2539 -2545. (doi: 10.1063/1.1150645)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1150645

Abstract

In this article we describe aspects of the suspension system for each of the main optics (test masses) in the GEO 600 interferometric gravitational wave detector currently under construction in Germany. In particular we describe the triple pendulum, which is a key aspect of the overall system, discuss the details of the mechanical design, present transfer functions of the isolation performance, and display examples of impulse responses for the local control used to damp the low frequency modes of the triple pendulum. This local control is achieved using co-located sensing and feedback at the highest mass of the triple pendulum, providing a significant attenuation of local control noise to the fused silica test mass, the lowest mass of the triple pendulum. In order to enhance the vertical isolation, the triple pendulum will incorporate two stages of cantilever springs, and fused silica fibers will be used in the lowest pendulum stage in order to minimize thermal noise from the pendulum modes. It is expected that the thermal noise associated with the internal modes of the fused silica test mass (mass similar to 6 kg) will set the sensitivity limit for GEO 600 from 50 to similar to 200 Hz. The measured performance from individual stages of the prototype suspension system indicates that a seismic noise level which is a factor similar to 3 lower than this thermal noise level at 50 Hz can be achieved.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hough, Professor James and Ward, Professor Henry and Torrie, Dr Calum and Strain, Professor Kenneth and Robertson, Mr Neil and Plissi, Dr Michael
Authors: Plissi, M.V., Torrie, C.I., Husman, M.E., Robertson, N.A., Strain, K.A., Ward, H., Luck, H., and Hough, J.
Subjects:Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Centre:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
Journal Name:Review of Scientific Instruments
ISSN:0034-6748

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