823 research outputs found
Mathematical framework for simulations of quantum fields in complex interferometers using the two-photon formalism
We present a mathematical framework for simulation of optical fields in complex gravitational-wave interferometers. The simulation framework uses the two-photon formalism for optical fields and includes radiation pressure effects, an important addition required for simulating signal and noise fields in next-generation interferometers with high circulating power. We present a comparison of results from the simulation with analytical calculation and show that accurate agreement is achieved
Readout and Control of a Power-recycled Interferometric Gravitational-wave Antenna
Interferometric gravitational wave antennas are based on Michelson
interferometers whose sensitivity to small differential length changes has been
enhanced by adding multiple coupled optical resonators. The use of optical
cavities is essential for reaching the required sensitivity, but sets
challenges for the control system which must maintain the cavities near
resonance. The goal for the strain sensitivity of the Laser Interferometer
Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) is 10^-21 rms, integrated over a 100 Hz
bandwidth centered at 150 Hz. We present the major design features of the LIGO
length and frequency sensing and control system which will hold the
differential length to within 5 10^-14 m of the operating point. We also
highlight the restrictions imposed by couplings of noise into the gravitational
wave readout signal and the required immunity against them.Comment: Presentation at ICALEPCS 2001, San Jose, November 2001, (WECT003), 3
page
Optimal Alignment Sensing of a Readout Mode Cleaner Cavity
Critically coupled resonant optical cavities are often used as mode cleaners
in optical systems to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a signal that
is encoded as an amplitude modulation of a laser beam. Achieving the best SNR
requires maintaining the alignment of the mode cleaner relative to the laser
beam on which the signal is encoded. An automatic alignment system which is
primarily sensitive to the carrier field component of the beam will not, in
general, provide optimal SNR. We present an approach that modifies traditional
dither alignment sensing by applying a large amplitude modulation on the signal
field, thereby producing error signals that are sensitive to the signal
sideband field alignment. When used in conjunction with alignment actuators,
this approach can improve the detected SNR; we demonstrate a factor of 3
improvement in the SNR of a kilometer-scale detector of the Laser
Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory. This approach can be generalized
to other types of alignment sensors
An all-optical trap for a gram-scale mirror
We report on a stable optical trap suitable for a macroscopic mirror, wherein
the dynamics of the mirror are fully dominated by radiation pressure. The
technique employs two frequency-offset laser fields to simultaneously create a
stiff optical restoring force and a viscous optical damping force. We show how
these forces may be used to optically trap a free mass without introducing
thermal noise; and we demonstrate the technique experimentally with a 1 gram
mirror. The observed optical spring has an inferred Young's modulus of 1.2 TPa,
20% stiffer than diamond. The trap is intrinsically cold and reaches an
effective temperature of 0.8 K, limited by technical noise in our apparatus.Comment: Major revision. Replacement is version that appears in Phy. Rev.
Lett. 98, 150802 (2007
Squeezed light for advanced gravitational wave detectors and beyond
Recent experiments have demonstrated that squeezed vacuum states can be injected into gravitational wave detectors to improve their sensitivity at detection frequencies where they are quantum noise limited. Squeezed states could be employed in the next generation of more sensitive advanced detectors currently under construction, such as Advanced LIGO, to further push the limits of the observable gravitational wave Universe. To maximize the benefit from squeezing, environmentally induced disturbances such as back scattering and angular jitter need to be mitigated. We discuss the limitations of current squeezed vacuum sources in relation to the requirements imposed by future gravitational wave detectors, and show a design for squeezed light injection which overcomes these limitations
Frequency-Dependent Squeezing for Advanced LIGO
The first detection of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer
Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) in 2015 launched the era of gravitational
wave astronomy. The quest for gravitational wave signals from objects that are
fainter or farther away impels technological advances to realize ever more
sensitive detectors. Since 2019, one advanced technique, the injection of
squeezed states of light is being used to improve the shot noise limit to the
sensitivity of the Advanced LIGO detectors, at frequencies above Hz.
Below this frequency, quantum back action, in the form of radiation pressure
induced motion of the mirrors, degrades the sensitivity. To simultaneously
reduce shot noise at high frequencies and quantum radiation pressure noise at
low frequencies requires a quantum noise filter cavity with low optical losses
to rotate the squeezed quadrature as a function of frequency. We report on the
observation of frequency-dependent squeezed quadrature rotation with rotation
frequency of 30Hz, using a 16m long filter cavity. A novel control scheme is
developed for this frequency-dependent squeezed vacuum source, and the results
presented here demonstrate that a low-loss filter cavity can achieve the
squeezed quadrature rotation necessary for the next planned upgrade to Advanced
LIGO, known as "A+."Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. Let
Advanced interferometry, quantum optics and optomechanics in gravitational wave detectors
Currently operating laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors are limited by quantum noise above a few hundred Hertz. Detectors that will come on line in the next decade are predicted to be limited by quantum noise over their entire useful frequency band (from 10 Hz to 10 kHz). Further sensitivity improvements will, therefore, rely on using quantum optical techniques such as squeezed state injection and quantum nondemolition, which will, in turn, drive these massive mechanical systems into quantum states. This article reviews the principles behind these optical and quantum optical techniques and progress toward there realization
LIGO operates with quantum noise below the Standard Quantum Limit
Precision measurements of space and time, like those made by the detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), are often confronted with fundamental limitations imposed by quantum mechanics. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle dictates that the position and momentum of an object cannot both be precisely measured, giving rise to an apparent limitation called the Standard Quantum Limit (SQL). Reducing quantum noise below the SQL in gravitational-wave detectors, where photons are used to continuously measure the positions of freely falling mirrors, has been an active area of research for decades. Here we show how the LIGO A+ upgrade reduced the detectors\u27 quantum noise below the SQL by up to 3 dB while achieving a broadband sensitivity improvement, more than two decades after this possibility was first presented
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