Intensity noise suppression of mid-infrared lasers for gravitational wave lasers

We have pioneered a new way to generate mid-infrared light using optical fibre lasers.

An exciting new application of this light source is to use it to tune the optical surfaces in gravitational wave detectors to ensure that the required sub nanometre precision is achieved.

To ensure that these mid-infrared lasers do not inadvertently inject noise into the detectors it is essential that the intensity noise of these lasers is measured to a high precision.

This project will investigate the intensity fluctuations of these lasers for the first time and design stabilization systems to ensure that these lasers meet the exacting requirements of the latest upgrades to gravitational wave detectors. 

Supervisors