CLIO

CLIO is the Cryogenic Laser Interferometer Observatory, a prototype detector for gravitational waves. It is testing cryogenic mirror technologies for the future Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector (KAGRA). It is located in Japan. CLIO is an optical interferometer with two perpendicular arms each of 100 m length. The mirrors are cooled to 20 K (−253 °C); this reduces various thermal noise sources which trouble other gravity observatories, but cooling the mirrors (which are heated by the powerful laser used in the interferometer) while keeping them isolated from vibrations is difficult.

CLIO

CLIO is the Cryogenic Laser Interferometer Observatory, a prototype detector for gravitational waves. It is testing cryogenic mirror technologies for the future Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector (KAGRA). It is located in Japan. CLIO is an optical interferometer with two perpendicular arms each of 100 m length. The mirrors are cooled to 20 K (−253 °C); this reduces various thermal noise sources which trouble other gravity observatories, but cooling the mirrors (which are heated by the powerful laser used in the interferometer) while keeping them isolated from vibrations is difficult.