Analysis of Vibration Sensitivity Induced by the Elastic Deformation of Vertical Optical Reference Cavities

Abstract

Optical reference cavities are a key component of ultra-stable lasers. Based on the theory of elastic deformation, the displacement difference between the top and bottom mirrors of an optical vertical cavity supported on the midplane was analyzed in the present research. The displacements and tilt angles of the two mirrors of the optical reference cavity were deduced based on Poisson's ratio. In order to verify the validity of the theoretical analysis, the vibration sensitivity induced by the elastic deformation of vertical optical reference cavities was simulated by finite element analysis. In order to compensate for the displacement difference between the top and bottom mirrors under an external force, the zero vibration sensitivity of the optical cavities was achieved by changing the thicknesses of Ultra-Low Expansion glass rings and the mirrors. The results and methods presented in the present paper may facilitate the design of vertical reference cavities, especially transportable optical reference cavities.

Keywords

• Ultra-stable laser
• optical reference cavity
• vibration sensitivity
• elastic deformation
• finite element analysis