Techniques for reducing the resonant frequency of Euler spring vibration isolators

Abstract

We present results on frequency reduction techniques applied to Euler spring vibration isolators. The implementation of geometric spring coefficient reduction on vertical Euler springs is shown to provide between one and two orders of magnitude reduction in the effective spring constant. The results are based on a single Euler stage that is part of the full vibration isolation system being developed at the Australian International Gravitational Observatory (AIGO). Issues concerning the stability of the system are presented and methods of improvement are suggested and discussed. Further experimentation on a single vertical Euler stage has achieved a resonant frequency of 0.3 Hz.