Loss factors of mirrors for a gravitational wave antenna

Shuichi Sato, Shinji Miyoki, Masatake Ohashi, Masa Katsu Fujimoto, Toshitaka Yamazaki, Mitsuhiro Fukushima, Akitoshi Ueda, Ken Ichi Ueda, Koji Watanabe, Kenji Nakamura, Kazuyuki Etoh, Naoya Kitajima, Kazuhiko Ito, Izumi Kataoka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Low-loss mirrors fabricated by ion-beam-sputtering machines for possible application in an interferometric gravitational wave antenna were evaluated by use of Nd:YAG laser light (λ = 1064 nm) with two distinct measurements: a tabletop experiment that used a short cavity with a small beam with a beam waist of approximately 2ω0 5 0.82 mm, and an optical test that used a 20-m prototypical gravitationalwave detector with a large beam with a beam waist of approximately 2ω0 = 4.4 mm. A multilayer coating comprised 29 layers of SiO2/Ta2O5 and one protective coating of SiO2. The best values obtained as a result of these measurements were 16 ppm (parts in 106) and 30 ppm in total loss, respectively. Also, a two-dimensional loss map generated by use of a small beam successfully revealed the existence of a loss structure within the coating surface. These results imply that a high-reflectance multilayer coating has some inhomogeneities and a loss distribution with a typical scale of a few millimeters and that the total measured losses depend on the beam spot size.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2880-2885
Number of pages6
JournalApplied Optics
Volume38
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1999 May 1
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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