North tube of Virgo

Detection bench electronic racks (January 2016)

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Detection bench electronic racks (January 2016)

Three racks hosting the electronics to control the superattenuator where a bench used to acquire the interference pattern is suspended and the electronics to control the optical elements installed on this bench.
On the background, vacuum enclosure of superattenuators are visible.

Credits: The Virgo collaboration/LAPP

Album: Instruments – Computing/Electronics

Tags: #Electronics #rack #superattenuator #Virgo

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Advanced Virgo suspended optical bench inside its vacuum enclosure (January 2016))

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Advanced Virgo suspended optical bench inside its vacuum enclosure (January 2016))

The researcher is tuning the position of a mirror on an optical bench. For Advanced Virgo, new optical benches have been suspended and put in vacuum. The mechanics of the suspension is visible on the top part still opened. On-board electronics is attached below the suspended bench to reduce the number of (white) electrical cables going along the suspension.

Credits: Cyril Frésillon/Virgo/Photothèque CNRS

Album: Instruments – Laser&Optics

Tags: #multi-stage attenuator system #Optical bench #suspension #Virgo

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Mechanical filter of a superattenuator (January 2016)

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Mechanical filter of a superattenuator (January 2016)

Superattenuators are used to suspend the main interferometer mirrors and benches to isolate them from the seismic ground vibrations. Here, a mechanical attenuator, part of a superattenuator, is being installed. The attenuator is then enclose in a vacuum tower.

Credits: Cyril Frésillon/Virgo/Photothèque CNRS

Album: Instruments – Payloads/Suspensions/Mirrors

Tags: #mechanical filter #superattenuator #suspension #Virgo

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Installation of a mirror superattenuator (January 2016)

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Installation of a mirror superattenuator (January 2016)

Superattenuators are used to suspend the main interferometer mirrors and benches to isolate them from the seismic ground vibrations. Here, a superattenuator, surrounded by a scaffolding, is being installed. The attenuator is then enclose in a vacuum tower.

Credits: Cyril Frésillon/Virgo/Photothèque CNRS

Album: Instruments – Payloads/Suspensions/Mirrors

Tags: #Virgo #superattenuator #scaffolding #installation

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Virgo aerial view

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Virgo aerial view

The two 3-km arms of the interferometer meet the central building where the laser is generated, and five mirrors, including the beam-splitter mirror, are hosted. Optical benches used to acquire the interference pattern are also hosted in this building. On the left part, the other buildings host EGO offices.

Credits: the Virgo Collaboration/N. Baldocchi

Album: Instruments – Infrastructures

Tags: #aerial #Virgo

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