Date of Award
December 2015
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Physics
Advisor(s)
Stefan W. Ballmer
Keywords
Angular control, Gravitational waves, LIGO, Optical spring, Radiation pressure
Subject Categories
Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Abstract
Alignment control in gravitational-wave detectors has consistently proven to be a
dicult problem due to the stringent noise contamination requirement for the gravitational
wave readout and the radiation-pressure induced angular instability in Fabry-
Perot cavities (Sidles-Sigg instability). In this thesis, I present optical springs as a
tool to damp the motion of a mirror. I discuss the design and implementation of a single
degree-of-freedom optical spring system and the importance of the photothermal
eect in properly predicting optical spring behavior.
I also present the development and implementation of an angular control scheme,
attempting to damp two degrees of freedom with two optical cavities. I then extend
this understanding into a plausible concept for implementing optical-spring-based
angular control in the Advanced LIGO detectors.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Kelley, David Bruce, "Angular trapping of a mirror using radiation pressure" (2015). Dissertations - ALL. 392.
https://surface.syr.edu/etd/392
