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Table-top prototype of the higher-order-mode sensor. Credit: A. Chandra

Synopsis

A project to advance a prototype displacement sensor to test-type phase, via improved compact mechanical design,  vacuum compatibility, and improved sensor testing.

Description

At the Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics, we have built a prototype table-top interferometric displacement sensor, that uses Gaussian beam higher-order spatial modes to expand its dynamic range. This prototype has successfully demonstrated the underlying principles of the technique, and now we want to advance it to the test-type phase of development.

This topic has two categories:

• An Engineering category to take the prototype layout and build a single mechanical test-unit. This will require mechanical designing that factors in stability, ease of use, as well as in-vacuum chamber compatibility in terms of materials and electrical/optical interfacing to the sensor.
• A Physics category that will further push the sensitivity limits of the sensor, via further down-selecting of optical components, and investigation into readout noise sources.

These can be approached as invidual projects (a subset within each category), or a longer Honours year project (encompassing either/both Engineering and/or Physics categories).

Required background

For an Engineering focussed project, some experience in mechanical design would be very valuable, but not essential.

For a Physics focussed project, some experience in optics (for e.g. via the second year Physics Lab course or other Research Topics) is essential.

Research fields