A back-linked Fabry-Perot interferometer for space-borne gravitational wave observations

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel back-linked Fabry-Perot interferometer topology for space-based gravitational wave detection below 10 Hz, aiming to simplify control requirements and improve sensitivity.

Contribution

It introduces a new interferometer design that eliminates the need for precise cavity length control and allows offline laser noise subtraction, advancing space gravitational wave detection technology.

Findings

Potential strain sensitivity of 7×10⁻²³ Hz⁻¹/² in the deci-Hertz band

The proposed topology reduces complexity in cavity length control

Sensitivity analyses demonstrate feasibility despite additional noise sources

Abstract

Direct observations of gravitational waves at frequencies below 10 Hz will play crucial roles for fully exploiting the potential of gravitational wave astronomy. One approach to pursue this direction is the utilization of laser interferometers equipped with the Fabry-Perot optical cavities in space. However, a number of challenges lie in this path practically. In particular, the implementation of precision control for the cavity lengths and the suppression of laser phase noises may prevent a practical detector design. To circumvent such difficulties, we propose a new interferometer topology, named the back-linked Fabry-Perot interferometer, where the precision length controls are not required and an offline subtraction scheme for laser phase noises is readily applicable. This article presents the principle idea and the associated sensitivity analyses. Despite additional noises, a strain sensitivity of $7\times 10^{-23}$ Hz$^{-1/2}$ may be attainable in the deci-Hertz band. Several technological developments and studies must be carried out to pave the way forward for the implementation.