Hamburg 2009 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 55: Poster III

Q 55.2: Poster

Thursday, March 5, 2009, 16:30–19:00, VMP 8 Foyer

Tunable Frequency References for LISA – Laboratory Reference Systems — •Klaus Döringshoff, Katharina Möhle, Evgeny V. Kovalchuk, and Achim Peters — Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Physik, AG Optische Metrologie, Hausvogteiplatz 5-7, 10117 Berlin

In our group we develop and test different concepts for tunable optical frequency references for the spaceborne gravitational wave detector LISA. Here we present our fixed frequency reference system for the validation of tunability and stability of these new frequency references.

We maintain a cross-linked reference system including molecular references based on methane and iodine as well as several fixed cavities made from fused silica and ULE. With regard to the LISA requirements, we put a special emphasis on the long-term stability of our references in the frequency range between 0.1 mHz and 1 Hz.

We report on comparative measurements of the frequency stability of our different references. A special focus will be on the performance of a new ULE reference cavity, which as an unusual feature exhibits a turning point of the thermal expansion curve above room temperature.