GravComb: A Quantum-Enhanced Frequency-Comb Gravitational Wave Detector

Le résumé fourni par la source

We present GravComb – a meter-scale concept for a deci-Hz gravitational wave detector based on recent advances in laser frequency combs coupled with optical parametric oscillator technology.GravComb could potentially serve as a low-cost ground-based LISA forerunner in the Deci-Hz frequency gap from 0.001 to 1Hz, rich in important GW sources which neither LIG/Virgo/KAGRAO nor LISA are optimized to observe. This tabletop GW sensor is enabled by breakthroughs in optical frequency combs. While LIGO measures the amplitude of interfering beams, we directly measure the signal phase, achieving 10 −10 radian sensitivity in a mode-locked Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) cavity in which 2 pulses circulate. These create 2 combs that merge into a single degenerate comb at twice the cavity round-trip time. If one pulse experiences a GW-induced phase shift, the comb splits in two. The phase difference between 2 circulating pulses translates to a frequency difference, seen as a beat-note signal. The sub-nanoradian resolution corresponds to an optical path difference uncertainty of < 0.1fm.

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