10 dB Quantum-Enhanced Michelson Interferometer with Balanced Homodyne Detection

authored by: Joscha Heinze, Karsten Danzmann, Benno Willke, Henning Vahlbruch
Abstract: Future generations of gravitational-wave detectors (GWD) are targeting an effective quantum noise reduction of 10 dB via the application of squeezed states of light. In the last joint observation run O3, the advanced large-scale GWDs LIGO and Virgo already used the squeezing technology, albeit with a moderate efficiency. Here, we report on the first successful 10 dB sensitivity enhancement of a shot-noise limited tabletop Michelson interferometer via squeezed light in the fundamental Gaussian laser mode, where we also implement the balanced homodyne detection scheme that is planned for the third GWD generation. In addition, we achieved a similarly strong quantum noise reduction when the interferometer was operated in higher-order Hermite-Gaussian modes, which are discussed for the GWD thermal noise mitigation. Our results are an important step toward the targeted quantum noise level in future GWDs and, moreover, represent significant progress in the application of nonclassical states in higher-order modes for interferometry, increased spatial resolution, and multichannel sensing.
Organisation(s): Institute of Gravitation Physics
QuantumFrontiers
External Organisation(s): Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)
Type: Article
Journal: Physical review letters
Volume: 129
ISSN: 1079-7114
Publication date: 15.07.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Physics and Astronomy(all)
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.129.031101 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{086689cac0884ded8811f9f8ef69e5a7,
title = "10 dB Quantum-Enhanced Michelson Interferometer with Balanced Homodyne Detection",
abstract = "Future generations of gravitational-wave detectors (GWD) are targeting an effective quantum noise reduction of 10 dB via the application of squeezed states of light. In the last joint observation run O3, the advanced large-scale GWDs LIGO and Virgo already used the squeezing technology, albeit with a moderate efficiency. Here, we report on the first successful 10 dB sensitivity enhancement of a shot-noise limited tabletop Michelson interferometer via squeezed light in the fundamental Gaussian laser mode, where we also implement the balanced homodyne detection scheme that is planned for the third GWD generation. In addition, we achieved a similarly strong quantum noise reduction when the interferometer was operated in higher-order Hermite-Gaussian modes, which are discussed for the GWD thermal noise mitigation. Our results are an important step toward the targeted quantum noise level in future GWDs and, moreover, represent significant progress in the application of nonclassical states in higher-order modes for interferometry, increased spatial resolution, and multichannel sensing.",
author = "Joscha Heinze and Karsten Danzmann and Benno Willke and Henning Vahlbruch",
note = "Funding Information: Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany{\textquoteright}s Excellence Strategy—EXC-2123 QuantumFrontiers—390837967.",
year = "2022",
month = jul,
day = "15",
doi = "10.1103/physrevlett.129.031101",
language = "English",
volume = "129",
journal = "Physical review letters",
issn = "1079-7114",
publisher = "American Physical Society",
number = "3",
}