title: Interferometer techniques for gravitational-wave detection.
abstract: Several km-scale gravitational-wave detectors have been constructed worldwide. These instruments combine a number of advanced technologies to push the limits of precision length measurement. The core devices are laser interferometers of a new kind; developed from the classical Michelson topology these interferometers integrate additional optical elements, which significantly change the properties of the optical system. Much of the design and analysis of these laser interferometers can be performed using well-known classical optical techniques; however, the complex optical layouts provide a new challenge. In this review, we give a textbook-style introduction to the optical science required for the understanding of modern gravitational wave detectors, as well as other high-precision laser interferometers. In addition, we provide a number of examples for a freely available interferometer simulation software and encourage the reader to use these examples to gain hands-on experience with the discussed optical methods.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6586-9901
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Freise
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ UK.
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Strain
keywords: Finesse; Gravitational waves; Gravitational-wave detectors; Laser interferometry; Optics; Simulations