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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 16: Laser Developments and Applications

Q 16.3: Talk

Monday, March 11, 2019, 14:30–14:45, S SR 211 Maschb.

Bright light source at 2.128 µm using optical-parametric oscillation — •M. Schröder, C. Darsow-Fromm, R. Schnabel, and S. Steinlechner — Institut für Laserphysik und Zentrum für Optische Quantentechnologien, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg

In recent years, gravitational-wave detection has further proven its potential with the emergence of multi-messenger astronomy following the observation of a binary neutron star coalescence in August 2017. Subsequently, a lot of effort has been put into enhancing detector sensitivity to further increase the event horizon.

Current detectors are mainly limited by coating thermal noise, hence ensuing the investigation of testmass materials suitable for cryogenic operation. Crystalline silicon has been considered as a substrate material for the longest time due to its high mechanical quality factor and thermal conductivity, while the latest research of coating technologies has shown promising mechanical loss results with amorphous silicon thin films. Both, however, restrict the possible operating laser wavelength to above 2 µm.

Our experiment encompasses the creation of a bright light source at 2.128 µm by optically pumping a periodically poled KTP crystal at 1064 nm using optical-parametric down-conversion. The generated light is wavelength-doubled and retains the excellent amplitude and phase noise properties of the pump beam.

In this talk we will present first results on the way to a comprehensive solution for nonclassical interferometry at 2.128 µm.