Experimental demonstration of impedance match locking and control for coupled resonators

Abstract

We describe and verify the dynamic behavior of a novel technique to optimize and actively control the optical impedance matching condition of a coupled resonator system. The technique employs radio frequency modulation and demodulation to interrogate the reflection amplitude response of the coupled cavity system. The sign and magnitude of the demodulated signal is used in a closed loop feedback system which controls the coupling condition of a three-mirror resonator. This was done by actuating on the spacing between two of mirrors, effectively using the pair as a variable reflectivity compound mirror. We propose that this technique can be used for controlling the signal bandwidth of next-generation gravitational wave detectors, as well as optimizing circulating optical carrier power in the instrument.