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arXiv:2508.11316 · Physical review. D/Physical review. D.

Demonstrating the velocity response of a table-top EPR speedmeter

S. L. Kranzhoff, S. L. Danilishin, S. Steinlechner, M. Vardaro, Teng Zhang, S. Hild

Published Sep 23, 2025• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The sensitivity of gravitational wave interferometers is fundamentally limited by quantum noise, as dictated by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, due to their continuous position measurement of the end mirrors. Speedmeter configurations, which measure mirror velocity rather than position, have been proposed as a means to suppress quantum backaction noise, but practical implementations remain at an early stage. In this work, we present a table-top realization of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) speedmeter concept, employing an optical readout scheme based on two orthogonal polarization modes that probe the interferometer with different effective bandwidths. Using a triangular cavity, we demonstrate that the differential optical response between the linear p- and s-polarized modes exhibits a speedlike frequency dependence: vanishing at DC and increasing linearly with signal frequency, up to the bandwidth of the slower mode. With this we show that an optical system equivalent to the EPR speedmeter indeed performs a velocity readout of the end mirror.

DOI
10.1103/r8tx-xd6n

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The sensitivity of gravitational wave interferometers is fundamentally limited by quantum noise, as dictated by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, due to their continuous position measurement of the end mirrors. Speedmeter configurations, which measure mirror velocity rather than position, have been proposed as a means to suppress quantum backaction noise, but practical implementations remain at an early stage. In this work, we present a table-top realization of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) speedmeter concept, employing an optical readout scheme based on two orthogonal polarization modes that probe the interferometer with different effective bandwidths. Using a triangular cavity, we demonstrate that the differential optical response between the linear p- and s-polarized modes exhibits a speedlike frequency dependence: vanishing at DC and increasing linearly with signal frequency, up to the bandwidth of the slower mode. With this we show that an optical system equivalent to the EPR speedmeter indeed performs a velocity readout of the end mirror.
We propose a new implementation of a quantum speed meter QND measurement scheme. It employs two independent optical readouts of the interferometer test masses with different values of the bandwidths and of the optical circulating power, whose outputs have to be combined by an additional beamsplitter. Signals at the two outputs of the beamsplitter are proportional to the position and the velocity of the test masses, respectively. The influence of the position meter-like back action force associated with the position signal can be cancelled using the EPR approach by measuring the amplitude quadrature of the beamsplitter common output. • This is an article for the Special Issue in memory of V.B. Braginsky. • We propose a novel and arguably the simplest scheme of a speed meter interferometer. • Speed meters curb quantum noise at low frequencies, boosting the SNR for GW sources. • Combination of readouts of two detectors with distinct bandwidths yields speed signal. • No significant changes of the current GWD infrastructure is necessary for our scheme.
Frequency-dependent squeezing (FDS) represents a well established way to address quantum noise (QN) in Gravitational-Wave (GW) Earth-based detectors, such as LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA. This technique is realized with the use of an external detuned optical resonator, the filter cavity. The experiment we present here is a table-top prototype that will probe a cheaper, more compact and more flexible strategy for broadband QN reduction (Ma et al., 2017). This scheme is based on two-mode Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) entangled squeezed light, and it works without any filter cavity. The EPR-entangled beams will propagate in a small-scale suspended interferometer with high-finesse arm-cavities. This experiment aims at validating the EPR conditional squeezing at audio frequencies, suited for GW detection, implementing also innovative optical techniques.
Abstract The recent discovery of gravitational waves (GW) by Advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometric Gravitational-wave Observatory) has impressively launched the novel field of gravitational astronomy and allowed us to glimpse exciting objects about which we could previously only speculate. Further sensitivity improvements at the low-frequency end of the detection band of future GW observatories must rely on quantum non-demolition (QND) methods to suppress fundamental quantum fluctuations of the light fields used to readout the GW signal. Here we present a novel concept of how to turn a conventional Michelson interferometer into a QND speed-meter interferometer with coherently suppressed quantum back-action noise. We use two orthogonal polarizations of light and an optical circulator to couple them. We carry out a detailed analysis of how imperfections and optical loss influence the achievable sensitivity. We find that the proposed configuration significantly enhances the low-frequency sensitivity and increases the observable event rate of binary black-hole coalescences in the range of 102−103 M⊙10^2 - 10^3\,M_ \odot102−103M⊙​ 1 0 2 - 1 0 3 M ⊙ by a factor of up to ~300.
General relativity predicts the existence of Gravitational Waves (GWs), ripples in spacetime that are now observable to highly sensitive interferometers. However, Quantum Noise (QN) poses a significant challenge for Gravitational Wave (GW) interferometers, influencing the entire bandwidth range (10-10,000 Hz) of the current GW detectors. At higher frequencies, Shot Noise (SN) predominates, while at lower frequencies, Radiation Pressure Noise (RPN) becomes the limiting factor, reducing both sensitivity and measurement precision. Squeezing techniques are implemented to address this issue by confining uncertainty within one quadrature of the light field. During O4, LIGO successfully implemented Frequency-Dependent Squeezing (FDS), while Virgo integrated and commissioned the FDS system without actively operating it during the science run. By employing a 300-meterlong detuned Filter Cavity (FC), the squeezing ellipse is rotated, allowing phase squeezing at high frequencies to reduce and amplitude squeezing at low frequencies to mitigate RPN, ultimately refining detection capabilities across the frequency spectrum. This doctoral thesis focuses on a promising alternative technique for future GW detectors, that achieves broadband QN reduction by exploiting Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) quantum entanglement. This approach involves injecting two entangled, squeezed beams at different frequencies into the dark port of the interferometer, enabling it to act as both a FC and a GW detector. To experimentally investigate these techniques, the suspended Interferometer for Ponderomotive Squeezing (SIPS) platform adopts a large-scale GW detector layout featuring a Michelson configuration with Fabry-Perot (FP) arm cavities. To guarantee the extreme optical alignment necessary for quantum noise mitigation, a high-precision, real-time local control system was developed for the SIPS main optics. Using a dummy mirror suspended in a double-pendulum configuration with monolithic fibers, a custom real-time signal processing and feedback control architecture was developed. This subsystem utilizes a PXI hardware framework and position-sensitive detectors (Power Spectral Densitys (PSDs)) implemented in LabVIEW to actively damp the mechanical resonances of the suspensions. Extending these core activities toward future infrastructures, this work directly contributed to the realization and commissioning of the new PNRR ETIC-GALILEO quantum optics cleanroom facility in Genoa for the Einstein Telescope (ET). Within this infrastructure, preliminary optical studies were initiated for Einstein Telescope Low Frequency (ET-LF) low-loss Faraday isolators operating at 1550 nm. Concurrently, numerical simulations were performed using Finesse3 to model and investigate candidate excess noise sources currently limiting the sensitivity of Advanced Virgo Plus
Future gravitational-wave detectors will use frequency-dependent squeezed vacuum states to obtain broadband reduction of quantum noise. Quantum noise is one of the major limitations to the sensitivity of these detectors. Advanced LIGO+, Advanced Virgo+, and KAGRA plan to generate frequency-dependent squeezed states by coupling a frequency-independent squeezed light state with a filter cavity. An alternative technique is under consideration, based on conditional squeezing with quantum entanglement: Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) squeezing. In the EPR scheme, two vacuum entangled states, the signal field at ω 0 and the idler field at ω 0 + Δ , must be spatially separated with an optical resonator and sent to two separate homodyne detectors. In this framework, we have designed and tested a solid Fabry–Perot etalon, to be used in an EPR table-top experiment prototype, thermally controlled without the use of a control probe optical beam. This device can also be used in optical experiments where the use of a bright beam to control an optical resonator is not possible, or where a simpler optical device is preferred.
Abstract Quantum Noise limits the sensitivity of gravitational wave interferometers across the full detection band (10 Hz – 10 kHz). Current detectors mitigate quantum noise through frequency-dependent squeezing using large, detuned filter cavities. However, such infrastructure poses challenges for future detectors like the Einstein Telescope, which require more compact and cost-effective solutions. A promising alternative uses Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) entanglement to achieve frequency-dependent squeezing without external filter cavities. We are developing an experiment in Virgo’s R&D squeezing laboratory at the European Gravitational Observatory to investigate EPR-based frequency-dependent squeezing in the audio band. The project involves researchers from INFN groups and universities in Italy and institutions in South Korea. After a brief introduction to the scientific motivation, this work describes the main components and summarizes the current status of our experiment and its potential impact on third-generation gravitational wave detectors.