Kiessling, F. M. et al. (2022) Quasi-monocrystalline silicon for low-noise end mirrors in cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors. Physical Review Research, 4, 043043. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.043043)
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Abstract
Mirrors made of silicon have been proposed for use in future cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors, which will be significantly more sensitive than current room-temperature detectors. These mirrors are planned to have diameters of ≈ 50 ,cm and a mass of ≈ 200 ,kg. While single-crystalline float zone silicon meets the requirements of low optical absorption and low mechanical loss, the production of this type of material is restricted to sizes much smaller than required. Here we present studies of silicon produced by directional solidification. This material can be grown as quasi-monocrystalline ingots in sizes larger than currently required. We present measurements of a low room-temperature and cryogenic mechanical loss comparable to float zone silicon. While the optical absorption of our test sample is significantly higher than required, the low mechanical loss motivates research into further absorption reduction in the future. While it is unclear if material pure enough for the transmissive detector input mirrors can be achieved, an absorption level suitable for the highly-reflective coated end mirrors seems realistic. Together with the potential to produce samples much larger than ≈ 50 ,cm, this material may be of great benefit for realizing silicon-based gravitational-wave detectors.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | This work was funded by the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (Federal Ministry of Economy and Energy, Germany) under the Grant No. 0325805c and by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under Germany's Excellence Strategy—EXC 2121 “Quantum Universe”—390833306 and under DFG project STE 2646/1-1. We are grateful for financial support from STFC (ST/N005422/1, ST/V005634/1, ST/V001736/1) the Royal Society (RG11033 and RGF/EA/180261), and the University of Glasgow. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Kinley-Hanlon, Maya Marie Antoinette and Rowan, Professor Sheila and Martin, Dr Iain and Tait, Dr Simon and Hough, Professor James and Graham, Ms Victoria and Steinlechner, Dr Jessica and Murray, Dr Peter and Johnston, Ross |
| Authors: | Kiessling, F. M., Murray, P. G., Kinley-Hanlon, M., Buchovska, I., Ervik, T. K., Graham, V., Hough, J., Johnston, R., Pietsch, M., Rowan, S., Schnabel, R., Tait, S. C., Steinlechner, J., and Martin, I. W. |
| 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: | Physical Review Research |
| Publisher: | American Physical Society |
| ISSN: | 2643-1564 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2643-1564 |
| Published Online: | 18 August 2022 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © The Author(s) 2022 |
| First Published: | First published in Physical Review Research 4: 043043 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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