Optical contamination screening of materials with a high-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity resonated continuously at 1.06- microm wavelength in vacuum.
An optical-loss measurement system based on a resonant Fabry-Perot cavity at 1.06 microm in vacuum has been developed for independent monitoring of the cavity total loss and the optical absorption loss. Maintenance of cavity resonance over a one-month period allows the assessment of long-term degradation of the cavity optics in the presence of outgassing materials, with sensitivities of 5 ppm/yr for total cavity loss and 2 ppm/yr for cavity absorption loss. Test results for light-emitting diodes, Kapton-insulated cable assemblies, and Vac-seal epoxy adhesive are given. Scaling of these results to the optical performance requirements of LIGO is discussed.
Li
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Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory Project, California Institute of Technology, MS 18-34, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
Coyne
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Camp
J
J