The present author has previously published a series of papers at STAIF exploring the interactions of very‐high frequency gravitational waves (VHFGWs, typically around 3 GHz) with superconductors. One important design concept is a novel variable‐focus lens that would be invaluable in the design of advanced GW optics for communications applications. This achieves all‐electrical focusing with no moving parts. The design was based upon the published calculations of Li and Torr (in 1992 and 1993) claiming to show that GWs propagate inside superconductors with a phase velocity reduction by a factor and a corresponding wavenumber increase. Successful demonstration of this lens would also serve as a confirmation of the controversial Li and Torr result. The possibility remains that the Li and Torr result is valid in principle but with a much reduced numerical value of arising from the linearizing assumptions made in their papers. (A much increased value of arising from the same reason is also possible in principle but appears unlikely.) The present paper examines the consequences of such a reduced level of interaction in the context of the existing VHFGW variable‐focus lens device structure. Also explored are some further consequences of the supposed interaction of VHFGW with superconductors, such as a prediction of a minimum GW frequency for which the interaction with practical type‐II superconductors (including all the technologically important high‐temperature superconductors), above the lower critical field, is significant. This, in turn, leads to a deduction that there is an upper limit to the magnitude of the power of a variable‐focal‐length lens that can be produced using this technology. Both algebraic and numerical estimates of this limit are given. The consequences of these limits are significant because the designer needs to be aware of the outer limits of the technological envelope; in practice, suitable design parameters may be used to achieve many significant design performance goals.
Very‐High‐Frequency Gravitational Waves and Superconductors
SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL FORUM‐STAIF 2008: 12th Conference on Thermophysics Applications in Microgravity; 1st Symposium on Space Resource Utilization; 25th Symposium on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion; 6th Conference on Human/Robotic Technology and the Vision for Space Exploration; 6th Symposium on Space Colonization; 5th Symposium on New Frontiers and Future Concept ; 2008 ; Albuquerque (New Mexico)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 969 , 1 ; 1027-1035
2008-01-21
9 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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