Length Sensing and Control of a Prototype Advanced Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detector

Author: Ward, Robert Lawrence

Year: 2010

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Weinstein, Alan Jay

Committee Members: Weinstein, Alan Jay; Adhikari, Rana; Chen, Yanbei; Schwab, Keith C.

Option: Physics

DOI: 10.7907/20SX-2935

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.

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