Interferometer responses to gravitational waves: Comparing FINESSE simulations and analytical solutions

TL;DR

This paper compares analytical calculations with FINESSE simulations to understand how interferometers respond to gravitational waves, detailing the derivation of response equations and simulation procedures.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive comparison between analytical models and FINESSE simulations for gravitational wave interferometer responses, including derivation steps.

Findings

Analytical and simulation results show good agreement.

Response equations are explicitly derived and validated.

Simulation procedures are detailed for various interferometer configurations.

Abstract

A comparison of analytic calculations and FINESSE simulations of interferometer responses to gravitational wave strain. The response to a gravitational wave is gradually built up from the effect of modulating a space by a gravitational wave to Sagnac and Michelson interferometers with and without arm cavities. This document details the steps necessary to perform such simulations in FINESSE and explicitly derives the interferometer response equations.