[Thesis] Length Sensing and Control of an Advanced Prototype Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detector

Document #:

LIGO-P1000018-v1

Document type:

P - Publications

Abstract:

There is a worldwide effort to directly detect gravitational radiation. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) operates three kilometer- scale interferometric gravitational wave detectors at two sites: two in Hanford, WA and one in Livingston, LA. A significant upgrade, called Advanced LIGO, is planned for these detectors. The core work of this thesis involves using a 40m prototype interferometer on the Caltech campus to study length and sensing and control techniques for Advanced LIGO. The principal results are the development of a lock acquisition protocol for an advanced detector and a comparison of noise couplings between two gravitational wave signal extraction techniques, called RF and DC readout.
In addition, a search in LIGO data was carried out for broadband, long- duration stochastic gravitational waves emitted from point sources. The results of this search are presented.

Files in Document:

• main.pdf (10.8 MB)

Topics:

• Sensing and Control
• Stochastic
• System Test

Authors:

• Robert Ward

Keywords:

Length Sensing Control Lock Acquistion DC Readout Radiometer

Notes and Changes:

Contains un-reviewed results in chapter 10, so for LVC viewing only.

Referenced by:

• LIGO-E1500442: aLIGO, CAL, Publications