Improved fused silica fibres for the advanced LIGO monolithic suspensions

Lee, K.-h., Hammond, G. , Hough, J. , Jones, R., Rowan, S. and Cumming, A. (2019) Improved fused silica fibres for the advanced LIGO monolithic suspensions. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 36(18), 185018. (doi: 10.1088/1361-6382/ab28bd)

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Abstract

To further increase the sensitivity of the advanced LIGO (aLIGO) gravitational wave detectors, two major upgrades of the monolithic fused silica suspension are considered: a higher stress in the suspension fibres and a longer final suspension stage. One of the challenges for this upgrade will be producing thinner and longer fibres that can hold the test mass safely. We demonstrate that laser power fluctuations during the fibre fabrication process can produce diameter variations and potentially weak fibres. We present a laser intensity stabilisation technology for fused silica fibre fabrication using a camera system to monitor heating. Fibres fabricated with this new technique showed a 34% decrease in the interquartile range of measured breaking stress, which indicates that the application of intensity stabilisation technology can improve the statistical strength of fused silica fibres by tightening the spread of values. As the aLIGO detectors upgrade plan (A+) proposes to use thinner fibres, it is essential to enhance the performance of fused silica fibres.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hammond, Professor Giles and Lee, Kyung Ha and Rowan, Professor Sheila and Cumming, Dr Alan and Hough, Professor James and Jones, Mr Russell
Authors: Lee, K.-h., Hammond, G., Hough, J., Jones, R., Rowan, S., and Cumming, A.
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:IOP Publishing
ISSN:0264-9381
ISSN (Online):1361-6382
Published Online:11 June 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Classical and Quantum Gravity 36(18):185018
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
713723Investigations in gravitational radiationSheila RowanScience & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)ST/N005422/1S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY