QSHS Fast Oscilloscope for Time-domain Diagnostics (QFOT)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The QSHS project has funding to build and operate detectors for wave-like dark matter, such as axions, that, if it exists, might make up 90% of the matter in galaxies and 26% of the full energy content of the Universe! These detectors are essentially very low noise radio receivers coupled to resonant electromagnetic cavities, sometimes threaded by intense magnetic fields (if we're looking for axions, for example). Low noise is achieved by using the worlds best amplifiers, under development in our group amongst other places, and other electronics elements, to ensure the amplifier output reaches the room temperature computers that analyse the data without being distorted or obscured by electromagnetic noise. Noise is minimised by operating the experiment at a very low physical temperature, one hundredth of a degree centigrade above absolute zero. This is achieved using a dilution refrigerator.
The signal that appears in our apparatus is in the high frequency radio, a regime where it is hard to actually measure the signal and display it on a graph. Instead, what is usually done is to measure the output of the radio, but this is only part of the full picture presented by a graph of signal versus time. To get this graph out of our apparatus, we could use an oscilloscope sufficiently fast to acquire the data for enough time to observe the response of our apparatus to the tiny signals that it will typically produce, called single quanta.
Oscilloscopes having the required electronics to observe these fast tiny signals are expensive items. We are requesting such an oscilloscope, but we are aware that the price tag is high (too high for us to include it in our original bid to STFC for the QSHS project). So, we have managed to get LeCroy, a primary vendor for such oscilloscopes, to give us a very good deal on a suitable unit. It would be discounted to 34% of the list price, and cost just shy of £60k excluding VAT. This represents exceptional value for money, adding a crucial diagnostic capability to the funded QSHS project. Furthermore, the requested oscilloscope actually exceeds our specification, having 14GHz of bandwidth, more than what we need for our research.
A major part of QSHS is the testing of very low noise electronics developed by groups collaborating with us in the QSHS apparatus. We intend that groups will show up at the Sheffield facility with a full suite of devices and auxiliary test equipment to bolt to our apparatus for evaluation and possible use in searches for dark matter. A full suite of local diagnostic equipment, including a fast oscilloscope, will be very useful in integrating equipment that is bought on site with our facility so that we can benefit maximally from the equipment that has been installed.
In summary, the requested equipment will maximise the science output from an existing STFC-funded facility at a very good value price from the proposed vendor. As such this is a first-class use of the equipment fund to which this request is submitted.
The signal that appears in our apparatus is in the high frequency radio, a regime where it is hard to actually measure the signal and display it on a graph. Instead, what is usually done is to measure the output of the radio, but this is only part of the full picture presented by a graph of signal versus time. To get this graph out of our apparatus, we could use an oscilloscope sufficiently fast to acquire the data for enough time to observe the response of our apparatus to the tiny signals that it will typically produce, called single quanta.
Oscilloscopes having the required electronics to observe these fast tiny signals are expensive items. We are requesting such an oscilloscope, but we are aware that the price tag is high (too high for us to include it in our original bid to STFC for the QSHS project). So, we have managed to get LeCroy, a primary vendor for such oscilloscopes, to give us a very good deal on a suitable unit. It would be discounted to 34% of the list price, and cost just shy of £60k excluding VAT. This represents exceptional value for money, adding a crucial diagnostic capability to the funded QSHS project. Furthermore, the requested oscilloscope actually exceeds our specification, having 14GHz of bandwidth, more than what we need for our research.
A major part of QSHS is the testing of very low noise electronics developed by groups collaborating with us in the QSHS apparatus. We intend that groups will show up at the Sheffield facility with a full suite of devices and auxiliary test equipment to bolt to our apparatus for evaluation and possible use in searches for dark matter. A full suite of local diagnostic equipment, including a fast oscilloscope, will be very useful in integrating equipment that is bought on site with our facility so that we can benefit maximally from the equipment that has been installed.
In summary, the requested equipment will maximise the science output from an existing STFC-funded facility at a very good value price from the proposed vendor. As such this is a first-class use of the equipment fund to which this request is submitted.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Edward Daw (Principal Investigator) |