Kevin, Gautam and Arijit

We made a measurement of the MC_REFL photodiode transfer function using the network analyzer. We did it for two different power input (0dB and -10dB) to the test measurement point of the MC_REFL photodiode. This was important to ensure the measurements of the transfer function of the MC_REFL photodiode was in the linear regime. The measurements are shown in attachment 1. We corrected for phase noise for the length of cable (50cm) used for the measurement. With reference to ELOG 10406, in comparison to the transimpedance measurement performed by Riju and Koji, there is a much stronger peak around 290MHz as observed by our measurement.

We also did a noise measurement for the MC_REFL photodiode. We did it for three scenarios: 1. Without any light falling on the photodiode 2. With light falling on the photodiode, the MC misaligned and the NPRO noise eater was OFF 3. With light falling on the photodiode, the MC misaligned and the NPRO noise eater was ON. We observed that the noise eater does reduce the noise being observed from 80kHz to 20MHz. This is shown in attachment 2.

We did the noise modelling of the MC_REFL photodiode using LISO and tried matching the expected noise from the model with the noise measurements we made earlier. The modeled noise is in good agreement with the measured noise with 10Ohms in the output resistance. The schematic for the MC_REFL photodiode however reveals a 50Ohm resistance being used. The measured noise shows excess noise ~ 290MHz. This is not predicted from the simplied LISO model of the photodiode we took.

Discussion with Koji and Gautam revealed that we do not have the exact circuit diagram for the MC_REFL photodiode. Hence the simplified model that was assumed earlier is not able to predict the excess noise at high frequencies. One thing to note however, is that the excess noise is measured with the same amplitude even with no light falling on the MC_REFL photodiode. This means that there is a positive feedback and oscillation in the op-amp (MAX4107) at high frequencies. One way to refine the LISO model would be to physically examine the photodiode circuit.

We also recorded the POX and POY RF monitor photodiode outputs when the interferometer arms are independently stabilized to the laser. Given the noise outputs from the RF photodiodes were similar, we have only plotted the POY RF monitor output for the sake of clarity and convenience.