Improving the Robustness of Next-Generation Wavefront Control: Characterization and Analysis of FROSTI Heating Profiles

Other Versions:

Abstract:: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) utilizes the properties of light to measure gravitational waves. However, different noise sources create issues for precision measurements. Quantum shot noise significantly contributes to LIGO s noise budget at higher frequencies, which has been mitigated by increasing laser power. However, this approach introduces greater thermal distortions in the test masses, exacerbating squeezing loss and impairing signal clarity. The Front Surface Type Irradiator (FROSTI), an annular ring heater, is designed to be integrated into the thermal compensation system to better address these distortions. To evaluate FROSTI s robustness against beam miscenterings a key performance degradation factor heating profiles from a real FROSTI prototype were measured in-air. These measurements were used to generate in-vacuum irradiance profiles for a simulated LIGO arm cavity with varying beam miscenterings. This initial study provides a framework for future work of tuning individual heater elements in the most optimal configuration and further study on refining these simulations to integrate FROSTI within LIGO s complex optical systems more effectively.

Files in Document:

Other Files:

Xuejun_Fu_SURF24_Project_Proposal.pdf (1.9 MB)
Final Presentation (LIGO SURF Presentation - Xuejun Fu.pptx, 6.9 MB)
Final Presentation (PDF) (LIGO SURF Presentation - Xuejun Fu.pdf, 7.0 MB)
Interim 1 Report (Xuejun_Fu_interim-report-1.pdf, 2.9 MB)
Interim 2 Report (Xuejun_Fu_interim-report-2.pdf, 2.9 MB)

LIGO Document T2400197-v1