MG11 
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Temperature dependence of the mechanical dissipation in single layer tantalum pentoxide coatings on thin single-crystal silicon substrates

Thermal noise associated with the dielectric mirror coatings required for high reflectivity is expected to be a significant noise source in interferometric detectors searching for gravitational waves. Current detectors operate with mirrors coated with alternate quarter wavelength thick layers of silica and Ta2O5. Future detectors, with higher sensitivities, will require coatings with lower mechanical dissipation in addition to the possibility of operating at cryogenic temperatures. Here we present initial measurements of the mechanical dissipation as a function of temperature for single layer titania-doped Ta2O5 coatings on single crystal silicon flexures.