DC Readout

A particularly challenging task in operating a gravitational wave detector is to extract the information about the relative arm length fluctuations from the interferometer’s output port.

This is because gravitational wave signals are encoded in the output beam as phase fluctuations on the order of 10−12 radians.

To extract this information GEO600 implemented a new readout technique, the so-called DC readout, simultaneously with the LIGO detectors. As expected this new readout technique gave a modest increase to the detectors’ sensitivities, among some other technical advantages.

Relevant publications

Degallaix, J.; Grote, H.; Prijatelj, M.; Hewitson, M.; Hild, S.; Affeldt, C.; Freise, A.; Leong, J.; Lück, H.; Strain, K. et al.; Wittel, H.; Willke, B.; Danzmann, K.: Commissioning of the tuned DC readout at GEO 600. 8th Edoardo Amaldi Conference on Gravitational Waves, Columbia University, New York, USA, June 21, 2009 - June 26, 2009. Journal of Physics: Conference Series 228 (1), 012013, (2010)
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