Abstract

The next generation of gravitational wave detectors using Michelson interferometers is planned to have a sensitivity of at least 10^-21. These interferometers need extremely sophisticated lasers as light sources. These lasers must be fast tunable, have a high frequency stability and single-frequency operation. In order to achieve high signal-to-noise ratios, the lasers have to work at high power levels. Beyond that, they should have a high efficiency, so that operational costs are within reasonable limits.

© 1993 Optical Society of America