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arXiv · 1008.0795

Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss mode generation and interferometry for gravitational wave detectors

Massimo Granata·Christelle Buy·Robert Ward·Matteo Barsuglia
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Abstract

We report on the first experimental demonstration of higher-order Laguerre-Gauss (LGpl) mode generation and interferometry using a method scalable to the requirements of gravitational wave (GW) detection. GW detectors which use higher-order LGpl modes will be less susceptible to mirror thermal noise, which is expected to limit the sensitivity of all currently planned terrestrial detectors. We used a diffractive optic and a mode-cleaner cavity to convert a fundamental LG00 Gaussian beam into an LG33 mode with a purity of 98%. The ratio between the power of the LG00 mode of our laser and the power of the LG33 transmitted by the cavity was 36%. By measuring the transmission of our setup using the LG00, we inferred that the conversion efficiency specific to the LG33 mode was 49%. We illuminated a Michelson interferometer with the LG33 beam and achieved a visibility of 97%.

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Massimo Granata, Christelle Buy, Robert Ward, Matteo Barsuglia. 2010-12-08. Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss mode generation and interferometry for gravitational wave detectors. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.105.231102

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