Toward a new generation of low-loss mirrors for the advanced gravitational waves interferometers

Opt Lett. 2011 Apr 15;36(8):1407-9. doi: 10.1364/OL.36.001407.

Abstract

The new generation of advanced interferometer needs fused silica mirrors having better optical and mechanical properties. This Letter describes the way to reduce the ion beam sputtering coating absorption at 1064 nm and to improve the layer thickness uniformity in order to coat two large mirrors (diameter 35 cm) at the same time.