Characterization of Core Optics in Gravitational-Wave Detectors: Case Study of KAGRA Sapphire Mirrors

We report the characterization of superlow-loss optics used in the second-generation gravitational-wave detectors currently in operation. The sapphire test-mass mirrors in the KAGRA detector are introduced as an example, but the techniques here are common to all detectors. In this work, we discuss mainly the surface topography obtained by interferometric techniques and the optical properties obtained with special setups.

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