Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 025009 |
| Journal | Classical and quantum gravity |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Dec 2024 |
Abstract
Gravitational waves (GW) have revolutionised the field of astronomy by providing scientists with a new way to observe the Universe and gain a better understanding of exotic objects like black holes. Several large-scale laser interferometric GW detectors have been constructed worldwide, with a focus on achieving the best possible sensitivity. However, in order for a detector to operate at its intended sensitivity, its optics must be free from imperfections such as thermal lensing effects. In the GEO 600 GW detector, the beam splitter experiences a significant thermal lensing effect due to the high power build-up in the power recycling cavity combined with a very small beam waist. This causes the fundamental mode to be converted into higher order modes, subsequently impacting the detector’s performance. To address this issue, the GEO 600 detector is equipped with a thermal compensation system (TCS) applied to the beam splitter. This involves projecting a spatially tunable heating pattern through an optical system onto the beam splitter. The main objective of the TCS is to counteract the thermal lens at the beam splitter and restore the detector to its ideal operating condition. This paper presents the new beam splitter TCS in GEO 600, its commissioning and its effect on strain sensitivity. It also outlines the planned upgrade to further enhance the performance of the TCS.
Keywords
- beam splitter, GEO 600, high order modes, thermal compensation system
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
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In: Classical and quantum gravity, Vol. 42, No. 2, 025009, 20.12.2024.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - GEO 600 beam splitter thermal compensation system: new design and commissioning
AU - Nadji, Séverin
AU - Wittel, Holger
AU - Mukund, Nikhil
AU - Lough, James
AU - Affeldt, Christoph
AU - Bergamin, Fabio
AU - Brinkmann, Marc
AU - Kringel, Volker
AU - Lück, Harald
AU - Weinert, Michael
AU - Danzmann, Karsten
PY - 2024/12/20
Y1 - 2024/12/20
N2 - Gravitational waves (GW) have revolutionised the field of astronomy by providing scientists with a new way to observe the Universe and gain a better understanding of exotic objects like black holes. Several large-scale laser interferometric GW detectors have been constructed worldwide, with a focus on achieving the best possible sensitivity. However, in order for a detector to operate at its intended sensitivity, its optics must be free from imperfections such as thermal lensing effects. In the GEO 600 GW detector, the beam splitter experiences a significant thermal lensing effect due to the high power build-up in the power recycling cavity combined with a very small beam waist. This causes the fundamental mode to be converted into higher order modes, subsequently impacting the detector’s performance. To address this issue, the GEO 600 detector is equipped with a thermal compensation system (TCS) applied to the beam splitter. This involves projecting a spatially tunable heating pattern through an optical system onto the beam splitter. The main objective of the TCS is to counteract the thermal lens at the beam splitter and restore the detector to its ideal operating condition. This paper presents the new beam splitter TCS in GEO 600, its commissioning and its effect on strain sensitivity. It also outlines the planned upgrade to further enhance the performance of the TCS.
AB - Gravitational waves (GW) have revolutionised the field of astronomy by providing scientists with a new way to observe the Universe and gain a better understanding of exotic objects like black holes. Several large-scale laser interferometric GW detectors have been constructed worldwide, with a focus on achieving the best possible sensitivity. However, in order for a detector to operate at its intended sensitivity, its optics must be free from imperfections such as thermal lensing effects. In the GEO 600 GW detector, the beam splitter experiences a significant thermal lensing effect due to the high power build-up in the power recycling cavity combined with a very small beam waist. This causes the fundamental mode to be converted into higher order modes, subsequently impacting the detector’s performance. To address this issue, the GEO 600 detector is equipped with a thermal compensation system (TCS) applied to the beam splitter. This involves projecting a spatially tunable heating pattern through an optical system onto the beam splitter. The main objective of the TCS is to counteract the thermal lens at the beam splitter and restore the detector to its ideal operating condition. This paper presents the new beam splitter TCS in GEO 600, its commissioning and its effect on strain sensitivity. It also outlines the planned upgrade to further enhance the performance of the TCS.
KW - beam splitter
KW - GEO 600
KW - high order modes
KW - thermal compensation system
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=86000163601&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1088/1361-6382/ad9b69
DO - 10.1088/1361-6382/ad9b69
M3 - Article
VL - 42
JO - Classical and quantum gravity
JF - Classical and quantum gravity
SN - 0264-9381
IS - 2
M1 - 025009
ER -