Quantum locking of mirrors in interferometers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum feedback scheme to lock mirrors in interferometers at the quantum level, significantly reducing quantum noise and improving the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel active control method for quantum-level mirror locking, enhancing interferometric measurement sensitivity.

Findings

Quantum feedback can drastically modify quantum noise.

The scheme reduces radiation pressure effects.

Sensitivity of interferometers is greatly enhanced.

Abstract

We show that quantum noise in very sensitive interferometric measurements such as gravitational-waves detectors can be drastically modified by quantum feedback. We present a new scheme based on active control to lock the motion of a mirror to a reference mirror at the quantum level. This simple technique allows to reduce quantum effects of radiation pressure and to greatly enhance the sensitivity of the detection.