Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detector s Vibrational Isolation

摘要

Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detectors, coming online in late 2000, look for small space strains, leading to apparent motions of test masses of 10-19 m or less; isolation from other forces is crucial. They require a formidable vibration isolation level in a frequency range between few Hz and few KHz. The off-band residual motion must be kept below 10-12 m not to saturate the phase sensors. These exceptional requriements are met, in all degrees of freedom, with a chain of active and passive filters. The key isolation mechanism is the use of mechanical oscillators above their resonant frequencies, pendula horizontally, springs vertically.