Beyond LISA: Exploring Future Gravitational Wave Missions

The Advanced Laser Interferometer Antenna (ALIA) and the Big Bang Observer (BBO) have been proposed as follow on missions to the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). Here we study the capabilities of these observatories, and how they relate to the science goals of the missions. We find that the Advanced Laser Interferometer Antenna in Stereo (ALIAS), our proposed extension to the ALIA mission, will go considerably further toward meeting ALIA's main scientific goal of studying intermediate mass black holes. We also compare the capabilities of LISA to a related extension of the LISA mission, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna in Stereo (LISAS). Additionally, we find that the initial deployment phase of the BBO would be sufficient to address the BBO's key scientific goal of detecting the Gravitational Wave Background, while still providing detailed information about foreground sources.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, published versio

Shot Noise in Gravitational-Wave Detectors with Fabry-Perot Arms

Shot-noise-limited sensitivity is calculated for gravitational-wave interferometers with Fabry–Perot arms, similar to those being installed at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the Italian–French Laser Interferometer Collaboration (VIRGO) facility. This calculation includes the effect of nonstationary shot noise that is due to phase modulation of the light. The resulting formula is experimentally verified by a test interferometer with suspended mirrors in the 40-m arms

Exploring the CPT violation and birefringence of gravitational waves with ground- and space-based gravitational-wave interferometers

In the gravitational sector, we study the CPT violation and birefringence of gravitational waves. In presence of the CPT violation, a relative dephasing is generated between two circular polarization states of gravitational waves. This effect induces the birefringence of gravitational waves. We predict the gravitational waveform corrected by it and estimate the expected constraints on it from Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, Einstein Telescope and Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.Comment: Preprint, 16 pages, 1 figure, 1 table, 2 appendices. All comments are welcom

Laser interferometer micrometer system

Laser micrometer measures dimensions of precision gyro and gas bearing parts using the principle of measuring light phase changes rather than a direct fringe count. The system uses light beams to eliminate errors due to deformations and surface irregularities, and three interferometers

Mirror-orientation noise in a Fabry-Perot interferometer gravitational wave detector

The influence of angular mirror-orientation errors on the length of a Fabry-Perot resonator is analyzed geometrically. Under conditions in which dominant errors are static or vary slowly over time, the analysis permits a simple prediction of the spectrum of short-term cavity length fluctuations resulting from mirror-orientation noise. The resulting model is applicable to the design of mirror control systems for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, which will monitor separations between mirrored surfaces of suspended inertial test bodies as a way to measure astrophysical gravitational radiation. The analysis is verified by measuring the response of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational- Wave Observatory's 40-m interferometer test-bed to the rotation of its mirrors

Fluctuations of Quantum Radiation Pressure in Dissipative Fluid

Using the generalized Langevin equations involving the stress tensor approach, we study the dynamics of a perfectly reflecting mirror which is exposed to the electromagnetic radiation pressure by a laser beam in a fluid at finite temperature. Based on the fluctuation-dissipation theorem, the minimum uncertainty of the mirror's position measurement from both quantum and thermal noises effects including the photon counting error in the laser interferometer is obtained in the small time limit as compared with the "standard quantum limit". The result of the large time behavior of fluctuations of the mirror's velocity in a dissipative environment can be applied to the laser interferometer of the ground-based gravitational wave detector.Comment: 8 pages. Version published in Physics Letters

Ultra-stable performance of an underground-based laser interferometer observatory for gravitational waves

In order to detect the rare astrophysical events that generate gravitational wave (GW) radiation, sufficient stability is required for GW antennas to allow long-term observation. In practice, seismic excitation is one of the most common disturbances effecting stable operation of suspended-mirror laser interferometers. A straightforward means to allow more stable operation is therefore to locate the antenna, the ``observatory'', at a ``quiet'' site. A laser interferometer gravitational wave antenna with a baseline length of 20m (LISM) was developed at a site 1000m underground, near Kamioka, Japan. This project was a unique demonstration of a prototype laser interferometer for gravitational wave observation located underground. The extremely stable environment is the prime motivation for going underground. In this paper, the demonstrated ultra-stable operation of the interferometer and a well-maintained antenna sensitivity are reported.Comment: 8 pages, to appear on PR