Abstract
The network of interferometric gravitational-wave observatories has successfully detected tens of astrophysical signals since 2015. In this paper, we experimentally investigate compact sensors that have the potential to improve the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors to intermediate-mass black holes. We use only commercial components, such as sensing heads and lasers, to assemble the setup and demonstrate its subpicometer precision. The setup consists of a pair of Michelson interferometers that use deep frequency modulation techniques to obtain a linear, relative displacement readout over multiple interference fringes. We implement a laser-frequency stabilization scheme to achieve a sensitivity of above 0.1 Hz. The device has also the potential to improve other experiments, such as torsion balances and commercial seismometers.
- Received 22 February 2022
- Revised 13 May 2022
- Accepted 5 July 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.18.034040
© 2022 American Physical Society
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
synopsis
Mini Interferometers Offer Impressive Sensitivity
Published 15 September 2022
A sensor containing thumbnail-sized interferometers might help astronomers detect gravitational waves emitted from certain black hole mergers.
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