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arXiv · 0804.1036

Triple Michelson Interferometer for a Third-Generation Gravitational Wave Detector

Abstract

The upcoming European design study `Einstein gravitational-wave Telescope' represents the first step towards a substantial, international effort for the design of a third-generation interferometric gravitational wave detector. It is generally believed that third-generation instruments might not be installed into existing infrastructures but will provoke a new search for optimal detector sites. Consequently, the detector design could be subject to fewer constraints than the on-going design of the second generation instruments. In particular, it will be prudent to investigate alternatives to the traditional L-shaped Michelson interferometer. In this article, we review an old proposal to use three Michelson interferometers in a triangular configuration. We use this example of a triple Michelson interferometer to clarify the terminology and will put this idea into the context of more recent research on interferometer technologies. Furthermore the benefits of a triangular detector will be used to motivate this design as a good starting point for a more detailed research effort towards a third-generation gravitational wave detector.

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BibTeXRIS

A. Freise, S. Chelkowski, S. Hild, W. Del Pozzo, A. Perreca, A. Vecchio. 2009-03-05. Triple Michelson Interferometer for a Third-Generation Gravitational Wave Detector. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/26/8/085012

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