The number of interferometry based projects is rapidly expanding. Current interferometer development laboratory space and its personnel are scattered across JPL, and even overflows capacity. In addition there is intense competition for lab space from other flight projects and from other technology developments. The space interferometer instruments will be large, typically tens of meters, or will have their components distributed among multiple spacecraft, which must be demonstrated to work cooperatively as a single instrument. Location of a new facility close to existing offices and labs in Buildings, 179, 171, 301, and 306 is desirable. It is also desired to have better control of the vibration, thermal and acoustical environments to accommodate evaluation of metrology systems at picometer levels.
Vibration isolation pads (concrete blocks) extending into the subsoil beneath the building are required to provide the base stability for testing these interferometer systems to expected path lengths and pointing levels (nanoradians). Presently, only Building 306 has a partial capability, and it is fully committed to major instruments and developmental tasks as well as some interferometry projects.
The Optical Interferometry Development Laboratory (OIDL) will be a one-story building. It will consist of one class 10,000 High Bay with approximately 356 m2 of floor area and a nominal ceiling height of 11m, one class 10,000 Low Bay of approximately 139 m2 with 3m ceiling, and three class 100,000 development laboratories totaling approximately 186 m2. Additional space includes a meeting room, building manager’s office, storage, and ground support facilities.
A ground support area between the high and low bay labs will have the capability of supporting either or both areas simultaneously. Vibration isolation pads will be provided for the clean room labs. HVAC will provide separate zoned systems to the labs, and HEPA filtered air will be provided to all labs and air showers will be provided for the high bay and low bay labs. Utilities include clean instrument power and compressed air for the high bay and low bay labs.
The table below summarizes the important features of all the laboratories in the OIDL. The accompanying drawing is adopted from the Architect and Engineer’s plans. This drawing should be consulted for gross estimating purposes only. It is recommended that an official drawing be used to compare building dimensions to actual experimental layouts.
|
Laboratory and Attribute |
Value |
Comments |
|
High Bay Laboratory |
||
|
Size (L x W) |
28.5 x12.5 m |
Effective wall space |
|
Height |
11m nominal, 9.75 m effective |
Allowance for overhead rail and crane system |
|
Clear Room Class |
10,000 |
|
|
Temperature |
21.1°C ± 0.75 °C |
|
|
Humidity |
45% ± 10% RH |
|
|
Sound |
55 dBA |
|
|
Low Bay Laboratory |
||
|
Size (L x W) |
19.8 x 7 m |
Effective wall space |
|
Height |
3 m |
Nominal before ceiling |
|
Clean Room Class |
10,000 |
|
|
Temperature |
21.1°C ± 0.75 °C |
|
|
Humidity |
45% ± 10% RH |
|
|
Sound |
55 dBA |
|
|
Developmental Laboratories |
||
|
Size (L x W) |
Lab #1-11.25 x 6 m Lab #2- 8.6 x 6 m Lab #3- 11.25 x 6 |
Effective wall space |
|
Height |
3 m |
Nominal before ceiling |
|
Clear Room Class |
100,000 |
|
|
Temperature |
21.1°C ± 0.75 °C |
|
|
Humidity |
35% to 65% RH |
|
|
Sound |
TBD |
|
Table 1: Dimension of laboratory space in Building 318, the Optical Interferometry Development Laboratory.
Figure 1: Partial Floor Plan
for Building 318, the Optical Interferometry Development Laboratory.