The intrinsic mechanical loss factor of hydroxy-catalysis bonds for use in the mirror suspensions of gravitational wave detectors

This paper describes investigations into the mechanical losses of bonds created by hydroxy-catalysis bonding. Evaluation of the magnitude of such losses is important for determining thermal noise levels in bonded suspensions for gravitational wave detectors. Three samples were investigated with bonds of varying geometries and surface areas. In two cases, the bonds were between two pieces of fused silica, whilst in the third a fused silica piece was attached to a sapphire substrate. In each case sodium silicate solution was used as the bonding agent. The thickness and Young’s modulus of the bond material were evaluated enabling values for the intrinsic mechanical loss factor of the bonding material to be obtained.