Available student project - Spatial laser mode analysis for thermal noise measurements in optical cavities
Research fields
- Photonics, Lasers and Nonlinear Optics
- Materials Science and Engineering
Project details
Gravitational wave detectors are in many ways the most sensitive instruments ever built and have opened a new window to the universe. The steadily growing number of discoveries helps us develop a better understanding of our cosmic setting and probe for exciting new fundamental physics.
Gravitational wave detectors have reached the thermal noise limit of optical coating technology: thermodynamic effects within the mirror coatings drown potential signals. This has sparked a broad search for novel coating materials and mitigating technologies. The use of cryogenically cooled silicon mirrors and 2µm wavelength lasers is a very promising avenue towards substantial sensitivity improvements.
Your goal in this project is to model the coupling efficiency of a laser into an optical resonator formed by two or more mirrors for a cryogenic coating noise experiment. You will also investigate the overlap of laser spatial modes with mechanical eigenmodes of the mirrors to understand their different coupling to thermodynamically driven fluctuations in the mirrors.
The Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics offers a collaborative, diverse, and supportive research environment across the full breadth of gravitational wave discovery. The Centre is a joint effort of RSAA and RSPhys, and hosts a node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav).
Required background
Computational skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB) are recommended. Knowledge of finite element software or methods is useful but not required. The project scope can be adjusted according to student level.
Project suitability
- 3rd year special project
- PhB (1st year)
- PhB (2nd or 3rd year)
- Honours or MSc project
- Vacation scholar
Contact supervisor
Other supervisor(s)
Updated: 9 February 2023/ Responsible Officer: Director, RSPhys/ Page Contact: Physics Webmaster