Thermal-Acoustic Stabilization Chamber (TASC)

Built in the winter of 1996-1997, the TASC provides a passively stabilized environment for all our high precision experiments. The walls are approximately 12 inches of styrofoam, enclosed in a thick built-up wood frame shell.

The interior dimensions are approximately 14' x 10' x 7'.

When the doors are closed, the interior temperature varies +/- 0.1 K over several days, and +/- 0.005K over several hours.

The optics bench in the center forms the mechanical ground for our experiments. When the door is closed, the vibration level is sub 10 microgees RMS over 1KHz. Vibration levels as low as 1-2 microgees RMS over 1KHz are possible.