Authors' Class Standing
Elaine Rhoades, Senior
Lead Presenter
Elaine Rhoades
Faculty Mentor Name
Michele Zanolin
Format Preference
Demonstration
Abstract
The mechanical properties of thin films are often different from the bulk properties of the same material. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory is very sensitive to coherent mechanical vibrations of the surface of the coatings on its cavity mirrors, which are directly related to the mechanical properties of the thin films. The amplitude of vibration in turn depends on two properties, the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the coatings. These properties can be measured using a number of different techniques. Over the course of the project, two methods were used: ultrasonic and nanoindentation. The goal of this talk is to review the difference in systematics between the two methods and to present results of coatings measured at Embry-Riddle and Caltech.
Location
AC1-115 (Bldg. 74)
Start Date
4-4-2014 12:55 PM
End Date
4-4-2014 1:10 PM
Measuring Mechanical Properties of Thin Optical Coatings
AC1-115 (Bldg. 74)
The mechanical properties of thin films are often different from the bulk properties of the same material. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory is very sensitive to coherent mechanical vibrations of the surface of the coatings on its cavity mirrors, which are directly related to the mechanical properties of the thin films. The amplitude of vibration in turn depends on two properties, the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the coatings. These properties can be measured using a number of different techniques. Over the course of the project, two methods were used: ultrasonic and nanoindentation. The goal of this talk is to review the difference in systematics between the two methods and to present results of coatings measured at Embry-Riddle and Caltech.