Gravitational wave observatory principle
Simplified illustration of the operating principle of a gravitational wave observatory by CMG Lee. Figure 1: Coherent light emitted (white rectangle) is divided by a beamsplitter (green line) into two arms which reflect off the mirrors (the outgoing and return beam are shown separate for clarity); they recombine and an interference pattern is detected (purple circle). Figure 2: A gravitational wave passing over the horizontal arm lengthens it, changing the interference pattern detected.
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