Advanced interferometry, quantum optics and optomechanics in gravitational wave detectors

• Published in: Laser & photonics reviews Vol. 5; no. 5; pp. 677 - 696
• Main Authors: McClelland, D.E., Mavalvala, N., Chen, Y., Schnabel, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.09.2011; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley-VCH
• Subjects: Astronomical and space-research instrumentation; Astronomy; Detectors; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Experimental studies of gravity; Frequency bands; Fundamental astronomy and astrophysics. Instrumentation, techniques, and astronomical observations; General relativity and gravitation; Gravitational radiation detectors; mass spectrometers; and other instrumentation and techniques; Gravitational wave detectors and experiments; Gravitational waves; Interferometry; Lasers; Mechanical systems; Noise; On-line systems; opto-mechanics; Physics; quantum optics; Quantum optics; Gravitational wave detectors
• ISSN: 1863-8880; 1863-8899; 1863-8899
• DOI: 10.1002/lpor.201000034

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 non‐demolition, 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. 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.