Abstract

Gravitational-wave detectors¹ require a laser that provides single-frequency, polarized, fundamental-mode output at high power. Ideally, the laser would also be reliable and efficient, capable of being operated 24 hours per day for years. In addition, the laser must meet stringent amplitude, frequency and beam-pointing stability requirements. While specially-modified, commercially-available, argon-ion lasers have been used in gravitational-wave interferometry, they do not meet the reliability, output power and electrical efficiency requirements of the next generation of gravitational-wave receivers.² In this paper, we describe the performance of a laser-diode-pumped, Nd:YAG laser, designed to meet the source requirements of an advanced gravitational-wave detector.

© 1994 Optical Society of America