Audio-band frequency-dependent squeezing for gravitational-wave detectors

Oelker, E., Isogai, T., Miller, J., Tse, M., Barsotti, L., Mavalvala, N. and Evans, M. (2016) Audio-band frequency-dependent squeezing for gravitational-wave detectors. Physical Review Letters, 116(4), 041102. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.041102)

Abstract

Quantum vacuum fluctuations impose strict limits on precision displacement measurements, those of interferometric gravitational-wave detectors among them. Introducing squeezed states into an interferometer’s readout port can improve the sensitivity of the instrument, leading to richer astrophysical observations. However, optomechanical interactions dictate that the vacuum’s squeezed quadrature must rotate by 90° around 50 Hz. Here we use a 2-m-long, high-finesse optical resonator to produce frequency-dependent rotation around 1.2 kHz. This demonstration of audio-band frequency-dependent squeezing uses technology and methods that are scalable to the required rotation frequency and validates previously developed theoretical models, heralding application of the technique in future gravitational-wave detectors.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Oelker, Dr Eric
• Authors: Oelker, E., Isogai, T., Miller, J., Tse, M., Barsotti, L., Mavalvala, N., and Evans, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Physical Review Letters
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• ISSN: 0031-9007
• ISSN (Online): 1079-7114