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Cryogenic and Q measurement laboratories

Cryogenic and Q measurement laboratories

Locations: 204, 205, 215.

These rooms contain a variety of vacuum chambers and cryostats which are used to measure thermomechanical properties of materials. In particular, Q measurements of test masses are performed both at room temperature and (in the cryostats) at cryogenic temperatures. The test masses measured can vary in geometry, composition, surface finishing, coatings applied, suspension type, bonding method and so on. All of these factors affect the thermoelastic noise of the mass, which limits the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors, particularly in the mid-frequency range.

Picture of cryostat in room 204