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Coorperations
Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik,
University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, University of Birmingham, Universitat de les Illes Balears
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Since S1 (April 2003)

  • GEO's successful first Science Run (S1) had been performed without signal recycling and without the final optics. So the next aim was to exchange the test optics and to implement signal recycling. The installation of the signal recycling mirror (T = 1 %) took place in October. November was spent to lock both recycling cavities. The SR cavity remained in lock not longer than 2 min. It became obvious that the radii of curvature of the endmirrors do not match our demands. So it was very difficult to obtain a stable lock.
  • After installation of the beamsplitter and the endmirrors MNC and MCE with monolithic suspensions in December, work on dual recycling lock continued. In January and February 2003, we tried to change the radii of curvature of the mirrors by means of adaptive optics. A ring-shaped heater behind the mirror produces a temperature gradient ensuring the correction of the curvature. With this measure we obtain a near perfect dark fringe and now continue work on signal recycling.
  • Because of these problems we were not able to take part in the second Science Run (S2 during March and April 2003). At the time being, we try hard to obtain again long-time stable performance. Our aim is to take part in the third Science Run as the first detector with dual recycling and completely monolithic suspensions.