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Re: [Phys-l] tuning forks



Tuning forks and twin pendula touch on a leading edge
cosmological research effort.
Here's an abstract.

Brian W.

*************************************
Design of suspension systems for measurement of
high-Q pendulums
J Gao et al 1995 Meas. Sci. Technol. 6 269-275
doi:10.1088/0957-0233/6/3/002


J Gao, L Ju and D G Blair
Dept. of Phys., Western Australia Univ., Nedlands, WA, Australia
Abstract.
Laser interferometer gravitational wave detectors require
the use of massive ultra-high-Q test mass pendulums to minimize
thermal noise. The verification of ultra-high Q-factors in
pendulums is difficult due to the coupling of support structure
recoil losses into the pendulum stage. We present a numerical
analysis of three different pendulum suspension systems to
assess their performance. We show that conventional
two-stage and three-stage suspension systems cannot be
expected to verify Q-factors beyond 10^8 due to recoil
losses, but that a twin pendulum system can allow Q-factors
of 10^10 to be observed.

Print publication: Issue 3 (March 1995)
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Herb Gottlieb wrote:

>1. If a tuning fork had only one tine it would be called a tuning pick
>or a tuning skewer rather than a tuning fork.
>
>2, The tines balance each other by always vibrating in opposite
>directions. This tends to increase the time that the fork
>vibrates after having been struck.
>
>Herb
>
>
>
>
>
>On Wed, 8 Mar 2006 15:25:10 -0600 "Sykes, Dave" <Dave.Sykes@llcc.edu>
>writes:
>
>
>> Why do tuning forks have two tines?
>>(A student asked and I didn't have any answer)
>>
>>Dave


Brian Whatcott Altus OK Eureka!