A compact, large-range interferometer for precision measurement and inertial sensing. (22nd March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cooper, S J; Collins, C J; Green, A C; Hoyland, D; Speake, C C; Freise, A; Mow-Lowry, C M
• Is Part Of: Classical and quantum gravity. Volume 35:Number 9(2018:May)
• Publication Date: 2018-03-22
• Subjects: optical interferometry -- homodyne detection -- optomechanics; Quantum gravity -- Periodicals; Gravitation -- Periodicals; Relativity (Physics) -- Periodicals; Space and time -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 521.1
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6382/aab2e9
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-9381

Abstract

Abstract: We present a compact, fibre-coupled interferometer with high sensitivity and a large working range. We propose to use this interferometer as a readout mechanism for future inertial sensors, removing a major limiting noise source, and in precision positioning systems. The interferometer's peak sensitivity is 2 × 10 − 14 m H z − 1 at 70 Hz and 7 × 10 − 11 m H z − 1 at 10 mHz. If deployed on a GS-13 geophone, the resulting inertial sensing output will be limited by the suspension thermal noise of the reference mass from 10 mHz to 2 Hz.