Cryogenic vacuum issues affecting mirrors of future gravitational wave observatories

Spallino, L. (2022) Cryogenic vacuum issues affecting mirrors of future gravitational wave observatories. Il nuovo cimento C, 45 (4). pp. 1-10. ISSN 1826-9885

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Abstract

The use of cryogenic mirrors in future gravitational wave detectors will reduce thermal noise, thus improving their sensitivity especially in the lowfrequency detection range. However, when operating at cryogenic temperatures, an ice layer (“frost”) will form on the mirrors’ surface, perturbing or even preventing detection. Frost formation can be reduced but not avoided. Then, to preserve the unquestionable improvements expected by cooling down the mirrors at cryogenic temperatures, a series of necessary solutions have to be adopted. In this paper, after introducing a simple way to estimate the ice growth on the mirrors, potential mitigation methods to cure frost formation will be analysed and compared. Particular emphasis will be given to the use of electrons to induce ice desorption. Such defrost method will clearly cause electrostatic charging, which has already been shown to affect gravitational wave detection on running interferometers. Here we show that electrons not only can induce ice desorption, but can also mitigate charging issues by properly tuning their kinetic energy.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	500 Scienze naturali e Matematica > 530 Fisica
Depositing User:	Marina Spanti
Date Deposited:	06 Sep 2022 11:35
Last Modified:	06 Sep 2022 11:35
URI:	http://eprints.bice.rm.cnr.it/id/eprint/21987

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