Optical and Mechanical Properties of Ion-Beam-Sputtered MgF2 Thin Films for Gravitational-Wave Interferometers

Brownian thermal noise associated with highly reflective coatings is a fundamental limit for several precision experiments, including gravitational-wave detectors. Research is currently ongoing to find coatings with low thermal noise that also fulfill strict optical requirements such as low absorption and scatter. We report on the optical and mechanical properties of ion-beam-sputtered magnesium fluoride thin films and we discuss the application of such coatings in current and future gravitational-wave detectors.

Automated summary

Brownian thermal noise associated with highly reflective coatings is a fundamental limit for precision experiments, including gravitational-wave detectors. Research is ongoing to find low thermal noise coatings that also meet strict optical requirements. Ion-beam-sputtered magnesium fluoride thin films are studied for their optical and mechanical properties and their potential application in current and future gravitational-wave detectors is discussed.