Modal Mode Simulation of Near-Unstable Cavities with Realistic Mirror Maps
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsPlease see the attached review report.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis study uses FINESSE simulations incorporating real-world mirror defects to analyze mode behavior in near-unstable cavities, offering valuable insights for the design of future gravitational wave detectors. The work is promising; however, I recommend the following revisions before it can be considered for publication:
- Experimental Validation Gap: The study relies entirely on simulation. While simulation is a powerful approach, the absence of any new experimental validation is a significant limitation. Notably, reference [22]-by the same authors-includes a tabletop experimental setup, which lends stronger credibility. Discussing more explicitly why no experimental data is used in this paper, or incorporating some comparative data from [22], would significantly strengthen the manuscript.
- Mirror Map Accuracy: The simulations use mirror maps acquired prior to coating and installation, which likely alters curvature. The authors mention this briefly but should more rigorously assess the impact of this assumption or provide a sensitivity analysis to bracket the expected error range.
- Mode Identification Criteria: While the beam profiles are visually informative, a more formal criterion or metric for mode identification would strengthen the analysis-especially in complex mode-coupling regimes.
- Error Signal Quantification: Include a numerical summary or table showing how error signal slope and amplitude vary with cavity length to aid interpretation for those working on cavity control systems.
- Centering the figures would significantly improve readability and formatting.
- For figures comparing beam shapes (e.g., Figure 4), ensure consistent axis scaling and add annotations to clarify size of the beam.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
