In 1992 and 1993, Li and Torr claimed to show that gravitational waves propagate inside a bulk superconductor with phase velocity ∼300 times lower than the free‐space value. The present author pointed out that this implies a Fresnel reflection coefficient of almost 100%. Harris and Kowitt have independently claimed that the Li and Torr result is not credible, in which case these conclusions are not correct. However, more recently, Chiao, Wegter‐McNelly and Minter have published a calculation taking a completely different approach that appears to repeat the prediction that a superconductor will efficiently reflect HFGW. Their argument concerns a superconductor layer that may even be significantly thinner than the London penetration depth. Their final conclusion, although completely different in derivation and concept, is essentially the same as that of the present author if it were assumed that Li and Torr were correct. Because of the controversy surrounding this result, it is subsequently referred to herein as the Li‐Torr‐Chiao conjecture. If the Li‐Torr‐Chiao conjecture were true, superconductors would exhibit by far the greatest interaction known between HFGW and matter. Therefore, it seems timely to examine further consequences of that interaction and whether it could be exploited. The present paper estimates the likely response of a high‐Q mechanical resonator coated with a thin superconductor layer. Regardless of the veracity of the Li‐Torr‐Chiao conjecture, the resonator will be subjected to a periodic force, analogous to electromagnetic radiation pressure. If the Li‐Torr‐Chiao conjecture is untrue, this force originates from the GW impedance mismatch between vacuum and resonator, which is minimal. However, if the Li‐Torr‐Chiao conjecture is correct, the magnitude of this force is increased very significantly. Measuring the amplitude of the induced mechanical vibrations indicates the power of the incident HFGW. If the resonator is a piezoelectric device then the output will be a direct electrical signal at double the HFGW frequency. Estimates of the likely conversion from HFGW using such an arrangement are given.
Testing the Li‐Torr‐Chiao Conjecture: A Novel HFGW Detector?
SPACE, PROPULSION & ENERGY SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL FORMUM SPESIF‐2010: 14th Conference on Thermophysics Applications in Microgravity 7th Symposium on New Frontiers in Space Propulsion Sciences 2nd Symposium on Astrosociology 1st Symposium on High Frequency Gravitational Waves ; 2010 ; Huntsville (Alabama)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 1208 , 1 ; 467-476
2010-01-28
10 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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