The Big Bang Observer: High Laser Power for Gravitational Wave Astrophysics

The Big Bang Observer(BBO) is a proposed space-based gravitational wave detector which will look for the stochastic background of gravitational waves from the early universe. The positions of three free test masses, 50,000 km apart, will be monitored by laser interferometry. To reduce noise, 300 W of 355 nm light obtained from frequency-tripling the output of Nd:YAG lasers will be used. These lasers and other technology necessary for BBO will require significant research before a potential launch date of 2025.