Investigation of infrasound noise background at Mátra Gravitational and Geophysical Laboratory (MGGL)

Abstract

Infrasonic and seismic waves are supposed to be the main contributors to the gravity-gradient noise (Newtonian noise) of the third generation subterranean gravitational-wave detectors. This noise will limit the sensitivity of the instrument at frequencies below 20 Hz. Investigation of its origin and the possible methods of mitigation have top priority during the designing period of the detectors. Therefore long-term site characterizing measurements are needed at several subterranean sites. However, at some sites, mining activities can occur. These activities can cause sudden changes (transients) in the measured signal, and increase the continuous background noise, too. We have developed a new algorithm based on discrete Haar transform to find these transients in the infrasound signal. We found that eliminating the transients decreases the variation of the noise spectra, and hence results a more accurate characterization of the background noise. We also carried out experiments for controlling the continuous noise. Machines operating at the mine was turned on and off systematically in order to see their effect on the noise spectra. These experiments showed that the main contributor of the continuous noise is the ventilation system of the mine.

arXiv comment7 pages, 3 figures

References in corpus (4)

• GW151226: Observation of Gravitational Waves from a 22-Solar-Mass Binary Black Hole Coalescence
• GW170814: A Three-Detector Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Black Hole Coalescence
• Characterization of the seismic environment at the Sanford Underground Laboratory, South Dakota
• Long term measurements from the Mátra Gravitational and Geophysical Laboratory