Congratulations to Juliane von Wrangel for completing her PhD!

Juliane’s thesis, “Micrometer Precision Bonding and Laser Welding of 100 g Suspensions for the AEI 10m Prototype”, tackled the challenges of preparing the 100 g quasi-monolithic suspensions for the Sub-SQL Interferometer. These, due to their small size, have different challenges compared to the large test mass mirrors found in full-scale gravitational wave detectors. The highlights from the thesis was the use of cold plasma treatment to clean the tiny fused silica parts in preparation for hydroxide catalysis bonding and the development of a new CO2 laser welding machine in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF and the Institute for Gravitational Research, University of Glasgow. Juliane’s work marks an important step toward realising the Sub-SQL Interferometer!