title: Thermal effects in the Input Optics of the Enhanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory interferometers.
abstract: We present the design and performance of the LIGO Input Optics subsystem as implemented for the sixth science run of the LIGO interferometers. The Initial LIGO Input Optics experienced thermal side effects when operating with 7 W input power. We designed, built, and implemented improved versions of the Input Optics for Enhanced LIGO, an incremental upgrade to the Initial LIGO interferometers, designed to run with 30 W input power. At four times the power of Initial LIGO, the Enhanced LIGO Input Optics demonstrated improved performance including better optical isolation, less thermal drift, minimal thermal lensing, and higher optical efficiency. The success of the Input Optics design fosters confidence for its ability to perform well in Advanced LIGO.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA. kate.dooley@aei.mpg.de
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.forename: Muzammil A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Arain
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feldbaum
authors.forename: Valery V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Frolov
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heintze
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoak
authors.forename: Efim A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Khazanov
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucianetti
authors.forename: Rodica M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Oleg
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Palashov
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Quetschke
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Reitze
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.forename: Luke F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Wan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu