Lasers and optics: Looking towards third generation gravitational wave detectors

Nergis Mavalvala, David E. McClelland, Guido Mueller*, D. H. Reitze, Roman Schnabel, Benno Willke

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    20 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Third generation terrestrial interferometric gravitational wave detectors will likely require significant advances in laser and optical technologies to reduce two of the main limiting noise sources: thermal noise due to mirror coatings and quantum noise arising from a combination of shot noise and radiation pressure noise. Increases in laser power and possible changes of the operational wavelength require new high power laser sources and new electro-optic modulators and Faraday isolators. Squeezed light can be used to further reduce the quantum noise while nano-structured optical components can be used to reduce or eliminate mirror coating thermal noise as well as to implement all-reflective interferometer configurations to avoid thermal effects in mirror substrates. This paper is intended to give an overview on the current state-of-the-art and future trends in these areas of ongoing research and development.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)569-592
    Number of pages24
    JournalGeneral Relativity and Gravitation
    Volume43
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Feb 2011

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