Towards windproofing LIGO: reducing the effect of wind-driven floor tilt by using rotation sensors in active seismic isolation
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Modern gravitational-wave observatories require robust low-frequency active seismic isolation in order to keep the interferometer at its ideal operating conditions. Seismometers are used to measure both the motion of the ground and isolated platform. These devices are susceptible to contamination from ground tilt at frequencies below 0.1 Hz, particularly arising from wind-pressure acting on building walls. Consequently, during LIGO’s first observing run both observatories suffered significant downtime when wind-speeds were above 7 m s −1 . We describe the use of ground rotation sensors at the LIGO Hanford Observatory to correct nearby ground seismometers to produce tilt-free ground translation signals. The use of these signals for sensor correction control improved low-frequency seismic isolation and allowed the observatory to operate under wind speeds as high as 15–20 m s −1 .
Source: Classical and Quantum Gravity
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: The Operation and Maintenance of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), Probing Fundamental Physics with Gravitational Experiments, The Construction of the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (AdvLIGO), Sensors for Low-Frequency Improvements in Advanced LIGO, G5453110768, Probing Fundamental Physics with Gravitational Experiments, G8320700254, Stanford Program in Support of LIGO - Seismic Isolation and Controls, Sensors for Low-Frequency Improvements in Advanced LIGO
OpenAlex ID: W3012246760