LIGO Document P070049-x0
- The quantum nature of the electromagnetic field imposes a fundamental limit on the sensitivity of optical precision measurements such as spectroscopy, microscopy and interferometry1. The so-called quantum limit is set by the zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field, which constrain the precision with which optical signals can be measured2, 3, 4. In the world of precision measurement, laser-interferometric gravitational-wave detectors4, 5, 6 are the most sensitive position meters ever operated, capable of measuring distance changes of the order of 10- 18 m r.m.s. over kilometre separations caused by gravitational waves from astronomical sources7. The sensitivity of currently operational and future gravitational-wave detectors is limited by quantum optical noise6. Here, we demonstrate a 44% improvement in displacement sensitivity of a prototype gravitational-wave detector with suspended quasi-free mirrors at frequencies where the sensitivity is shot-noise-limited, by injecting a squeezed state of light1, 2, 3. This demonstration is a critical step towards implementation of squeezing-enhancement in large-scale gravitational-wave detectors.
Rev P070049-00-R:
- Full document number: LIGO-P070049-00-R
- Author(s): Rana Adhikari; Go K. Goda; Nergis Mavalvala; Kirk Mckenzie; Eugeniy Mikhailov; Osamu Miyakawa; Shailendhar Saraf; Steve Vass; Robert Ward; Alan Weinstein
- Document date: 2007-06-20
- Document received date: 2007-06-25
- Document entry date: 2007-06-25
- Published in Nature vol. 4 pg. 472 - 476.
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