Astronomy & Space Science · AST-482
Laser Interferometry & Detector Design: Structures & Vocabulary
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Structure
Structure of Laser Interferometry & Detector Design
A Michelson-style detector splits coherent laser light into orthogonal kilometer-scale arms containing suspended mirrors. Light reflects many times in optical cavities, recombines at a beam splitter, and forms an interference signal whose phase responds to differential arm-length changes.
Evidence behind this section3 claims
Ground-based gravitational-wave observatories such as LIGO use laser interferometry to measure fractional changes in arm length far smaller than the diameter of a proton. supported
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References & evidence
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- 01Gravitational-Wave ScienceOpen source ↗
LIGO Scientific Collaboration
View claim-by-claim traceability3 verified claims
A passing gravitational wave stretches one transverse direction while compressing the perpendicular direction, then reverses.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026Ground-based gravitational-wave observatories such as LIGO use laser interferometry to measure fractional changes in arm length far smaller than the diameter of a proton.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026Independent observatories record consistent waveforms with relative arrival times compatible with light-speed propagation.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026