Nanogap Transducer for Broadband Gravitational Wave Detection

TL;DR

This paper proposes a nanogap transducer for gravitational wave detection that shifts from a resonant multimode to a free mass paradigm, achieving sensitivity comparable to interferometers in certain frequency bands.

Contribution

It introduces a novel nanogap transducer design using a klystron resonant cavity with a 1 nm gap, enhancing sensitivity and directional resolution in gravitational wave detection.

Findings

Achieves sensitivity comparable to GEO600 and TAMA300 in 3-6 kHz band.

More sensitive than LIGO in 6-10 kHz band for 50% of the spectrum.

Cost-effective technology around US$ 1 million.

Abstract

By changing from a resonant multimode paradigm to a free mass paradigm for transducers in resonant mass gravitational wave detection, an array of six spheres can achieve a sensitivity response curve competitive with interferometers, being as sensitive as GEO600 and TAMA300 in the 3 to 6 kHz band and more sensitive than LIGO for 50 percent of the 6 to 10 kHz band. We study how to assemble a klystron resonant cavity that has a 1 nm gap by understanding the stability of the forces applied at it (Casimir force, elastic force, weight). This approach has additional benefits. First, due to the relatively inexpensive nature of this technology (around US$ 1 million), it is accessible to a broader part of the world scientific community. Additionally, spherical resonant mass detectors have the ability to discern both the direction and polarization resolutions.