A Low-Frequency Torsion Pendulum with Interferometric Readout


Abstract in English

We describe a torsion pendulum with a large mass-quadrupole moment and a resonant frequency of 2.8 mHz, whose angle is measured using a modified Michelson interferometer. The system achieved noise levels of $sim200 text{prad}/sqrt{text{Hz}}$ between 0.2-30 Hz and $sim10 text{prad}/sqrt{text{Hz}}$ above 100 Hz. Such a system can be applied to a broad range of fields from the study of rotational seismic motion and elastogravity signals to gravitational wave observation and tests of gravity.

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