Pushing towards the ET sensitivity using 'conventional' technology

TL;DR

This paper explores how conventional technologies can be pushed to their limits to achieve the ambitious sensitivity goals of the Einstein Telescope, a next-generation gravitational wave detector.

Contribution

It provides a preliminary analysis of modifications needed to enhance current gravitational wave detectors to meet Einstein Telescope sensitivity goals using existing technologies.

Findings

Identifies technological improvements for increased sensitivity

Suggests feasible modifications within current technological limits

Provides a step-by-step pathway from current detectors to ET sensitivity

Abstract

Recently, the design study `Einstein gravitational wave Telescope' (ET) has been funded within the European FP7 framework. The ambitious goal of this project is to provide a conceptual design of a detector with a hundred times better sensitivity than currently operating instruments. It is expected that this will require the development and implementation of new technologies, which go beyond the concepts employed for the first and second detector generations. However, it is a very interesting and educational exercise to imagine a Michelson interferometer in which conventional technologies have been pushed to - or maybe beyond - their limits to reach the envisaged sensitivity for the Einstein Telescope. In this document we present a first sketchy analysis of what modifications and improvements are necessary to go, step-by-step, from second generation gravitational wave detectors to the Einstein Telescope.