Experimental study of high energy electron interactions in a superconducting aluminum alloy resonant bar

TL;DR

This study experimentally investigates how high-energy electrons affect a superconducting aluminum alloy resonant bar, revealing a significant amplitude enhancement in the superconducting state and comparing results with theoretical models.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on electron interactions with superconducting aluminum alloys and compares these findings with existing physical models.

Findings

Amplitude increased by a factor of ~3.5 in superconducting state

Results align with cosmic ray observations from NAUTILUS detector

Data supports physical models of electron-superconductor interactions

Abstract

Peak amplitude measurements of the fundamental mode of oscillation of a suspended aluminum alloy bar hit by an electron beam show that the amplitude is enhanced by a factor ~3.5 when the material is in the superconducting state. This result is consistent with the cosmic ray observations made by the resonant gravitational wave detector NAUTILUS, made of the same alloy, when operated in the superconducting state. A comparison of the experimental data with the predictions of the model describing the underlying physical process is also presented.