The GEO600 squeezed light source

TL;DR

This paper details the development and characterization of a squeezed light source for gravitational wave detection, achieving significant noise reduction and analyzing its potential to enhance GEO600's sensitivity.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental characterization of a squeezed light source integrated with a coherent control system for GEO600.

Findings

Achieved up to 9dB squeezing below shot noise

Analyzed optical losses and their impact on sensitivity

Estimated potential sensitivity improvements for GEO600

Abstract

The next upgrade of the GEO600 gravitational wave detector is scheduled for 2010 and will, in particular, involve the implementation of squeezed light. The required non-classical light source is assembled on a 1.5m^2 breadboard and includes a full coherent control system and a diagnostic balanced homodyne detector. Here, we present the first experimental characterization of this setup as well as a detailed description of its optical layout. A squeezed quantum noise of up to 9dB below the shot-noise level was observed in the detection band between 10Hz and 10kHz. We also present an analysis of the optical loss in our experiment and provide an estimation of the possible non-classical sensitivity improvement of the future squeezed light enhanced GEO600 detector.