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Coorperations
Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik,
University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, University of Birmingham, Universitat de les Illes Balears
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The Vacuum System of GEO600

The vacuum tubes for GEO600 have been manufactured and welded by the Hans Skodock GmbH in Hannover. The basic unit consists of 0.75 m long corrugated pieces of stainless steel with 60 cm diameter, 0.9 mm thickness, and a mass of about 20 kg. Six pieces each are welded at the supplier. After cleaning, these 3 m tubes have been joint together at the site by means of an orbital welding machine. The tubes are suspended at thin steel cables within a trench. The suspension consists of rotating disks mounted on a rail. So the tube can be rotated during welding and pushed into the trench afterwards.
The Vacuum System of GEO600

This schematic diagram shows the vacuum system of GEO600. (Drawing by Kasem Mossavi)

The vacuum tubes for GEO600 have been manufactured and welded by the Hans Skodock GmbH in Hannover. The basic unit consists of 0.75 m long corrugated pieces of stainless steel with 60 cm diameter, 0.9 mm thickness, and a mass of about 20 kg. Six pieces each are welded at the supplier. After cleaning, these 3 m tubes have been joint together at the site by means of an orbital welding machine. The tubes are suspended at thin steel cables within a trench. The suspension consists of rotating disks mounted on a rail. So the tube can be rotated during welding and pushed into the trench afterwards.

 

Click on a picture in order to obtain a larger one:

The welder at work.
The tube in the trench.
A closer look at one of the many welds.
The welder at work

  
 A closer look at one
of the many welds
 
 The tube in the trench