A detector of gravitational waves based on coupled microwave cavities

TL;DR

This paper discusses a gravitational wave detector using superconducting coupled microwave cavities, analyzing the interaction mechanism, noise sources, and potential design for enhanced sensitivity.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the coupling mechanism and noise considerations for a superconducting cavity-based gravitational wave detector, proposing a feasible design.

Findings

Maximum energy transfer occurs when wave frequency matches cavity mode difference

Brownian motion noise impacts detector sensitivity

A potential detector design with estimated sensitivity is outlined

Abstract

Since 1978 superconducting coupled cavities have been proposed as sensitive detector of gravitational waves. The interaction of the gravitational wave with the cavity walls, and the resulting motion, induces the transition of some electromagnetic energy from an initially excited cavity mode to an empty one. The energy transfer is maximum when the frequency of the wave is equal to the frequency difference of the two cavity modes. In this paper the basic principles of the detector are discussed. The interaction of a gravitational wave with the cavity walls is studied in the proper reference frame of the detector, and the coupling between two electromagnetic normal modes induced by the wall motion is analyzed in detail. Noise sources are also considered; in particular the noise coming from the brownian motion of the cavity walls is analyzed. Some ideas for the developement of a realistic detector of gravitational waves are discussed; the outline of a possible detector design and its expected sensitivity are also shown.