A high power photodetection system for use with laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors

Jennrich, O., Newton, G., Skeldon, K.D. and Hough, J., (2002) A high power photodetection system for use with laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors. Optics Communications, 205(4-6), 405 -413. (doi: 10.1016/S0030-4018(02)01368-8)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0030-4018(02)01368-8

Abstract

We report on an experiment to develop a high power, large bandwidth, infra-red photodetection system for use with radio frequency optical modulation schemes in the generation of gravitational wave detectors now being constructed. The incident light is split into 16 components by a configuration of 50:50 beam splitters and directed towards an array of InGaAs PIN photodiodes. The radio frequency output from the diodes is combined using ferrite loaded broad-band hybrid coaxial couplers together with coaxial transformers in a cascade, totem-pole, arrangement. The photodetection system has a very wide bandwidth, being shot noise limited to over 100 MHz in less than 150 mA of photocurrent. It has a photocurrent capability of up to 1.5 A which corresponds to an incident light power of about 2.3 W after optical losses are taken into account. The noise contribution from the photodiode array with bias applied is around 1.4 × 10<sup>-21</sup> W/Hz.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Newton, Mr Graham and Hough, Professor James and Skeldon, Dr Kenneth
Authors: Jennrich, O., Newton, G., Skeldon, K.D., and Hough, J.,
Subjects:Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Centre:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
Journal Name:Optics Communications
ISSN:0030-4018

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