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Lock Acquisition and Sensitivity Analysis of Advanced LIGO Interferometers

Citation

Martynov, Denis V. (2015) Lock Acquisition and Sensitivity Analysis of Advanced LIGO Interferometers. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/Z9Q81B1F. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05282015-142013480

Abstract

Laser interferometer gravitational wave observatory (LIGO) consists of two complex large-scale laser interferometers designed for direct detection of gravitational waves from distant astrophysical sources in the frequency range 10Hz - 5kHz. Direct detection of space-time ripples will support Einstein's general theory of relativity and provide invaluable information and new insight into physics of the Universe.

Initial phase of LIGO started in 2002, and since then data was collected during six science runs. Instrument sensitivity was improving from run to run due to the effort of commissioning team. Initial LIGO has reached designed sensitivity during the last science run, which ended in October 2010.

In parallel with commissioning and data analysis with the initial detector, LIGO group worked on research and development of the next generation detectors. Major instrument upgrade from initial to advanced LIGO started in 2010 and lasted till 2014.

This thesis describes results of commissioning work done at LIGO Livingston site from 2013 until 2015 in parallel with and after the installation of the instrument. This thesis also discusses new techniques and tools developed at the 40m prototype including adaptive filtering, estimation of quantization noise in digital filters and design of isolation kits for ground seismometers.

The first part of this thesis is devoted to the description of methods for bringing interferometer to the linear regime when collection of data becomes possible. States of longitudinal and angular controls of interferometer degrees of freedom during lock acquisition process and in low noise configuration are discussed in details.

Once interferometer is locked and transitioned to low noise regime, instrument produces astrophysics data that should be calibrated to units of meters or strain. The second part of this thesis describes online calibration technique set up in both observatories to monitor the quality of the collected data in real time. Sensitivity analysis was done to understand and eliminate noise sources of the instrument.

Coupling of noise sources to gravitational wave channel can be reduced if robust feedforward and optimal feedback control loops are implemented. The last part of this thesis describes static and adaptive feedforward noise cancellation techniques applied to Advanced LIGO interferometers and tested at the 40m prototype. Applications of optimal time domain feedback control techniques and estimators to aLIGO control loops are also discussed.

Commissioning work is still ongoing at the sites. First science run of advanced LIGO is planned for September 2015 and will last for 3-4 months. This run will be followed by a set of small instrument upgrades that will be installed on a time scale of few months. Second science run will start in spring 2016 and last for about 6 months. Since current sensitivity of advanced LIGO is already more than factor of 3 higher compared to initial detectors and keeps improving on a monthly basis, upcoming science runs have a good chance for the first direct detection of gravitational waves.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:LIGO, control, sensitivity analysis, adaptive filters
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Adhikari, Rana
Group:LIGO
Thesis Committee:
  • Adhikari, Rana (chair)
  • Weinstein, Alan Jay
  • Chen, Yanbei
  • Murray, Richard M.
Defense Date:27 May 2015
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:05282015-142013480
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05282015-142013480
DOI:10.7907/Z9Q81B1F
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:8899
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Denis Martynov
Deposited On:04 Jun 2015 22:45
Last Modified:26 Oct 2021 18:23

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