JILA, a joint institute of the University of Colorado Boulder and NIST, has opened a new six-story wing featuring advanced laboratories for high-precision science. This addition provides over 56,000 square feet of specialized space, including basement labs built on thick concrete to significantly reduce vibrations. The facility is designed to create a more controlled environment by stabilizing factors like temperature, electromagnetic noise, and power supply for sensitive experiments.
To support precise laser work, the new labs include dedicated hallways with spring-loaded flooring that isolates mechanical equipment from the experimental areas. This setup ensures that pumps and other machinery operate without disturbing delicate work. Nobel laureate Eric Cornell states that the improved conditions allow researchers to focus on their experiments with greater stability and accuracy than was possible in the older facilities.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2012/04/new-laboratories-world-renowned-science
Keywords: vibration isolation, laser experiments, electromagnetic noise
