The electromagnetic field in gravitational wave interferometers

Thomas Mieling, Piotr T. Chruściel, Stefan Palenta

Abstract: We analyse the response of laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors using the full Maxwell equations in curved spacetime in the presence of weak gravitational waves. Existence and uniqueness of solutions is ensured by setting up a suitable boundary value problem. This puts on solid ground previous approximate calculations. We find consistency with previous results obtained from eikonal expansions at the level of accuracy accessible to current gravitational wave detectors.

Classical and Quantum Gravity 38 215004

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