Physics – Optics
Scientific paper
Dec 1998
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998phdt.......156b&link_type=abstract
Thesis (PhD). MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Source DAI-B 59/09, p. 4870, Mar 1999, pages.
Physics
Optics
Scientific paper
The LIGO project is part of a world-wide effort to detect the influx of Gravitational Waves upon the earth from astrophysical sources, via their interaction with laser beams in interferometric detectors that are designed for extraordinarily high sensitivity. Central to the successful performance of LIGO detectors is the quality of their optical components, and the efficient optimization of interferometer configuration parameters. To predict LIGO performance with optics possessing realistic imperfections, we have developed a numerical simulation program to compute the steady-state electric fields of a complete, coupled-cavity LIGO interferometer. The program can model a wide variety of deformations, including laser beam mismatch and/or misalignment, finite mirror size, mirror tilts, curvature distortions, mirror surface roughness, and substrate inhomogeneities. Important interferometer parameters are automatically optimized during program execution to achieve the best possible sensitivity for each new set of perturbed mirrors. This thesis includes investigations of two interferometer designs: the initial LIGO system, and an advanced LIGO configuration called Dual Recycling. For Initial-LIGO simulations, the program models carrier and sideband frequency beams to compute the explicit shot-noise-limited gravitational wave sensitivity of the interferometer. It is demonstrated that optics of exceptional quality (root-mean-square deformations of less than ~1 nm in the central mirror regions) are necessary to meet Initial-LIGO performance requirements, but that they can be feasibly met. It is also shown that improvements in mirror quality can substantially increase LIGO's sensitivity to selected astrophysical sources. For Dual Recycling, the program models gravitational- wave-induced sidebands over a range of frequencies to demonstrate that the tuned and narrow-banded signal responses predicted for this configuration can be achieved with imperfect optics. Dual Recycling has lower losses at the interferometer signal port than the Initial-LIGO system, though not significantly improved tolerance to mirror roughness deformations in terms of maintaining high signals. Finally, it is shown that 'Wavefront Healing', the claim that losses can be re- injected into the system to feed the gravitational wave signals, is successful in theory, but limited in practice for optics which cause large scattering losses. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253- 1690.)
No associations
LandOfFree
Modelling the performance of interferometric gravitational-wave detectors with realistically imperfect optics does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Modelling the performance of interferometric gravitational-wave detectors with realistically imperfect optics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modelling the performance of interferometric gravitational-wave detectors with realistically imperfect optics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-764411