Tip-Tilt Mirror Control in Gravitational Fabry-Perot Interferometer Cavity

Abstract

Gravitational wave detection is achieved by a Fabry-Perot Michelson interferometer, which measures the change in arm length when the wave causes a strain in space-time. Optical components, such as the mirrors in the cavity, must be precisely controlled to measure these strains in the arms. This paper outlines a method for controlling the position of a suspended mirror by actuating voice coils with a breakout box which is driven by a control loop program and measuring the position of the mirror with shadow sensors in 3 degrees of freedom: forward (called the X direction), pitch and yaw.