Advanced LIGO: Research on thermal coating noise, the thermal correction system, and sensing and control issues

未来的干涉引力波探测器，如增强型LIGO和高级LIGO，只有在首先解决重大技术问题的情况下，才能达到其基本的灵敏度极限。许多与激光功率相关的问题可以通过使用自适应模式匹配技术和采用称为稳定再循环腔的新光学配置来显著减少。 这些技术和配置变化对其他子系统的相互作用将在这项研究工作中进行研究。 先进的干涉检测器还依赖于改进的传感器和改进的调制技术。 这些技术的发展将超越目前的技术水平。在LIGO探测器的调试过程中，发现了意想不到的问题，在许多情况下，非最佳解决方案用于缓解问题。 这些通常即兴的解决方案对于LIGO来说已经足够了，但对于像Advanced LIGO这样的未来探测器来说还不够。 已经为Advanced LIGO开发了新的解决方案，但它们对整个仪器的广泛影响可能尚未完全了解。 必须开发新技术或改进旧技术，以确保未来引力波探测器的成功。 这些技术的发展也为新学生和博士后提供了一个机会，让他们参与并为这个令人兴奋且仍在扩大的科学领域做出贡献。

Future interferometric gravitational wave detectors such as enhanced LIGO and Advanced LIGO will only reach their fundamental sensitivity limits if significant technical problems can be solved first. Many laser power related problems can be reduced significantly by using adaptive mode matching techniques and employing a new optical configuration known as a stable recycling cavity. The interaction of these techniques and configuration changes on other subsystems will be studied in this research effort. Advanced interferometric detectors also depend on improved sensors and improved modulation techniques. These technologies will be developed beyond the current state of the art.During the commissioning of the LIGO detectors unexpected problems were discovered and in many cases non-optimal solutions where used to mitigate the problems. These often improvised solutions are sufficient for LIGO but will not be sufficient in future detectors like Advanced LIGO. New solutions have been developed for Advanced LIGO but their broad impact on the entire instrument may not be fully understood. New technologies have to be developed or older technologies have to be improved to ensure the success of future gravitational wave detectors. These technology developments are also a chance for new students and postdocs to participate in and contribute to this very exciting and still expanding scientific area.