Analysis of a four-mirror cavity enhanced Michelson interferometer

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the sensitivity of a four-mirror cavity enhanced Michelson interferometer, focusing on thermal lensing reduction and contrast impact, with detailed analytical and parameter space analysis.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analytical model of this interferometer topology, including resonance features and systematic parameter study methods.

Findings

Analytical expressions for light fields and frequency response derived.

Resonance boundary conditions identified for systematic parameter analysis.

Enhanced understanding of thermal lensing effects in high-power interferometers.

Abstract

We investigate the shot noise limited sensitivity of a four-mirror cavity enhanced Michelson interferometer. The intention of this interferometer topology is the reduction of thermal lensing and the impact of the interferometers contrast although transmissive optics are used with high circulating powers. The analytical expressions describing the light fields and the frequency response are derived. Although the parameter space has 11 dimensions, a detailed analysis of the resonance feature gives boundary conditions allowing systematic parameter studies.