Review of the Laguerre-Gauss mode technology research program at Birmingham

Abstract

Gravitational wave detectors of the advanced generation are expected to be limited in sensitivity by thermal noise of the optics. The reduction of this noise is therefore of high importance for future detectors which aim to surpass the sensitivity of the advanced generation. A proposed method for reducing the impact of this noise is to use higher-order Laguerre-Gauss (LG) modes for the readout beam, as opposed to the currently used fundamental mode. We present here a synopsis of the research program undertaken by the University of Birmingham into the suitability of LG mode technology for future gravitational wave detectors. This will cover our previous and current work on this topic, from initial simulations and table-top LG mode experiments up to implementation in a prototype scale suspended cavity and high-power laser bench.