ABSTRACT
The recent series of gravitational-wave (GW) detections by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo observatories launched the new field of GW astronomy. As the sensitivity of GW detectors is limited by quantum noise of light, concepts from quantum metrology have been adapted to increase the observational range. Since 2010, squeezed light with reduced quantum noise has been used for improved sensitivity at signal frequencies above 100 Hz. However, 100 m long optical filter resonators would be required to also improve the sensitivity at lower frequencies, adding significant cost and complexity. Here we report on a proof-of-principle setup of an alternative concept that achieves the broadband noise reduction by using Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) entangled states instead. We show that the desired sensitivity improvement can then be obtained with the signal-recycling resonator that is already part of current observatories, providing the viable alternative to high-cost filter cavities.
ABSTRACT
The quantum uncertainty of laser light limits the sensitivity of gravitational-wave observatories. Over the past 30 years, techniques for squeezing the quantum uncertainty, as well as for enhancing gravitational-wave signals with optical resonators have been invented. Resonators, however, have finite linewidths, and the high signal frequencies that are produced during the highly scientifically interesting ring-down of astrophysical compact-binary mergers still cannot be resolved. Here, we propose a purely optical approach for expanding the detection bandwidth. It uses quantum uncertainty squeezing inside one of the optical resonators, compensating for the finite resonators' linewidths while keeping the low-frequency sensitivity unchanged. This quantum expander is intended to enhance the sensitivity of future gravitational-wave detectors, and we suggest the use of this new tool in other cavity-enhanced metrological experiments.
ABSTRACT
Strongly squeezed states of light are a key technology in boosting the sensitivity of interferometric setups, such as in gravitational-wave detectors. However, the practical use of squeezed states is limited by optical loss, which reduces the observable squeeze factor. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that introducing squeezed states in additional, higher-order spatial modes can significantly improve the observed nonclassical sensitivity improvement when the loss is due to mode-matching deficiencies. Our results could be directly applied to gravitational-wave detectors, where this type of loss is a major contribution.