Differential wavefront sensing and control using radio-frequency optical demodulation

Abstract

Differential wavefront sensing is an essential technique for optimising the performance of many precision interferometric experiments. Perhaps the most extensive application of this is for alignment sensing using radio-frequency beats measured with quadrant photodiodes. Here we present a new technique that uses optical demodulation to measure such optical beats at high resolutions using commercial laboratory equipment. We experimentally demonstrate that the images captured can be digitally processed to generate wavefront error signals and use these in a closed loop control system for correct wavefront errors for alignment and mode-matching a beam into an optical cavity to 99.9%. This experiment paves the way for the correction of even higher order errors when paired with higher order wavefront actuators. Such a sensing scheme could find use in optimizing complex interferometers consisting of coupled cavities, such as those found in gravitational wave detectors, or simply just for sensing higher order wavefront errors in heterodyne interferometric table-top experiments.