LIGO Document T2600158-v6

Validating LIGO Interferometer Models

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LIGO-T2600158-v6
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T - Technical notes
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Abstract:
While previous studies have been done on the theoretical modeling of mirror thermal distortions within the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), there is still a mismatch between simulation predictions and experimental measurements. This is believed to originate from the nonstationary evolution of thermal distortions in the optics, due to incomplete knowledge of their initial thermal state and incomplete modeling of their thermal dynamics, which can introduce time-dependent systematic errors into the calibration and optical modes. This project aims to construct a more accurate model of the LIGO Livingston Observatory by including more accurate thermal effects as well as using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling as a diagnostic tool to predict discrepant design parameters. The predictions of this project's optical model can be validated against real LIGO data, specifically from stretches of data where the interferometer remains locked and the mirrors are allowed to reach a thermal steady-state. Data that satisfies these criteria is not trivial to obtain, as lock losses due to known and unknown causes are common. Ultimately, these optical simulations will improve our understanding of thermal effects in LIGO and may enable the development of more robust active thermal compensation techniques, mitigating the impact of thermal noise and allowing for even higher strain sensitivity needed for future gravitational wave detectors.
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