The application of higher-order Laguerre-Gauss (LG) modes in large-scale gravitational wave detectors has recently been proposed. In comparison to the fundamental mode, some higher-order Laguerre-Gauss modes can significantly reduce the contribution of coating Brownian noise. Using frequency domain simulations we give a detailed analysis of the longitudinal and angular control signals derived with a ${\mathrm{LG}}_{33}$ mode in comparison to the fundamental transverse electromagnetic ${\mathrm{TEM}}_{00}$ mode. The performance regarding interferometric sensing and control of the ${\mathrm{LG}}_{33}$ mode is found to be similar, if not even better in all aspects of interest. In addition, we evaluate the sensitivity gain of the implementation of ${\mathrm{LG}}_{33}$ modes into the Advanced Virgo instrument. Our analysis shows that the application of the ${\mathrm{LG}}_{33}$ mode results in a broadband improvement of the Advanced Virgo sensitivity, increasing the potential detection rate of binary neutron star inspirals by a factor 2.1.

• Received 29 January 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.79.122002