Birefringence measurements on crystalline silicon

Krüger, C., Heinert, D., Khalaidovski, A., Steinlechner, J., Nawrodt, R., Schnabel, R. and Lück, H. (2015) Birefringence measurements on crystalline silicon. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 33, 015012. (doi: 10.1088/0264-9381/33/1/015012)

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Abstract

Crystalline silicon has been proposed as a new test mass material in third generation gravitational wave detectors such as the Einstein telescope (ET). Birefringence can reduce the interferometric contrast and can produce dynamical disturbances in interferometers. In this work we use the method of polarization-dependent resonance-frequency analysis of Fabry–Perot-cavities containing silicon as a birefringent medium. Our measurements show a birefringence of silicon along the (111) axis of the order of at a laser wavelength of 1550 nm and room temperature. A model is presented that explains the results of different settings of our measurements as a superposition of elastic strains caused by external stresses in the sample and plastic strains possibly generated during the production process. An application of our theory on the proposed ET test mass geometry suggests no critical effect on birefringence due to elastic strains.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Nawrodt, Dr Ronny and Steinlechner, Dr Jessica
Authors: Krüger, C., Heinert, D., Khalaidovski, A., Steinlechner, J., Nawrodt, R., Schnabel, R., and Lück, H.
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:Classical and Quantum Gravity
Publisher:Institute of Physics
ISSN:0264-9381
ISSN (Online):1361-6382
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 The Authors
First Published:First published in Classical and Quantum Gravity 33:015012
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
624341Investigations in Gravitational Radiation / Particle Astrophysics Capital equipmentSheila RowanScience & Technologies Facilities Council (STFC)ST/L000946/1S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY