In collaboration with experimental gravity wave research groups at Stanford University, Louisiana State University and the University of Maryland, Prof. Wellstood will design, construct and test sensitive dc Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) measuring systems which are specifically configured for use in ultralow temperature Weber-bar gravity wave antennas. At a measuring frequency of 1 kHz and a temperature of 50 mK, the SQUID systems will achieve an energy sensitivity of 100 h/2 within 2 years and 10 h/2 within 3 years. To ensure testing of the systems under realistic conditions, the performance of the SQUIDs will be measured on superconducting resonant motion transducers as well as in conventional well-shielded cryogenic probes. At the end of the two test periods, a working SQUID measuring system with the appropriate sensitivity will be delivered for incorporation into an antenna which is cooled to 50 mK. By using a high performance SQUID measuring system on an ultralow temperature antenna, the sensitivity of the antenna to gravitational radiation will be greatly improved, and there will be a much better possibility of actually detecting gravitational radiation for the first time.
