Rayleigh scattering in fused silica samples for gravitational wave detectors

Laser interferometer gravitational wave detectors require very high optical quality test masses. We report the bulk Rayleigh scattering in high quality fused silica samples. Results show that the scattering of the high quality fused silica is similar for various grades of fused silica from Heraeus. The total integrated scattering is about 0.7 ppm cm− 1at 1064 nm wavelength, which agrees with the theoretical value calculated using known fused silica parameters. All samples show Rayleigh scattering ratio inhomogeneity of ~ 4%.