Several km-scale gravitational-wave detectors have been constructed worldwide. These instruments combine a number of advanced technologies to push the limits of precision length measurement. The core devices are laser interferometers of a new kind; developed from the classical Michelson topology these interferometers integrate additional optical elements, which significantly change the properties of the optical system. Much of the design and analysis of these laser interferometers can be performed using well-known classical optical techniques; however, the complex optical layouts provide a new challenge. In this review, we give a textbook-style introduction to the optical science required for the understanding of modern gravitational wave detectors, as well as other high-precision laser interferometers. In addition, we provide a number of examples for a freely available interferometer simulation software and encourage the reader to use these examples to gain hands-on experience with the discussed optical methods.

世界范围内已经建造了多个公里级引力波探测器。这些仪器结合了许多先进技术，突破了精确长度测量的极限。核心器件是新型激光干涉仪；这些干涉仪从经典迈克尔逊拓扑发展而来，集成了额外的光学元件，从而显着改变了光学系统的特性。这些激光干涉仪的大部分设计和分析都可以使用众所周知的经典光学技术进行；然而，复杂的光学布局带来了新的挑战。在这篇评论中，我们以教科书式的方式介绍了理解现代引力波探测器以及其他高精度激光干涉仪所需的光学科学。此外，我们提供了许多免费提供的干涉仪模拟软件的示例，并鼓励读者使用这些示例来获得所讨论的光学方法的实践经验。