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Physics, Optics, physics.optics, Astrophysics, Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, astro-ph.IM, Physics, Instrumentation and Detectors, physics.ins-det,Quantum Physics, quant-ph
Abstract:
Quantum fluctuations in the phase and amplitude quadratures of light set
limitations on the sensitivity of modern optical instruments. The sensitivity
of the interferometric gravitational wave detectors, such as the Advanced Laser
Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (LIGO), is limited by quantum
shot noise, quantum radiation pressure noise, and a set of classical noises. We
show how the quantum properties of light can be used to distinguish these
noises using correlation techniques. Particularly, in the first part of the
paper we show estimations of the coating thermal noise and gas phase noise,
hidden below the quantum shot noise in the Advanced LIGO sensitivity curve. We
also make projections on the observatory sensitivity during the next science
runs. In the second part of the paper we discuss the correlation technique that
reveals the quantum radiation pressure noise from the background of classical
noises and shot noise. We apply this technique to the Advanced LIGO data,
collected during the first science run, and experimentally estimate the quantum
correlations and quantum radiation pressure noise in the interferometer for the
first time.