A network of laser interferometer gravitational waves detectors spread across the globe is currently running and steadily improving. After complex data analysis from the output signal of the present detectors, astrophysical results begin to emerge with upper limits on gravitational wave sources. So far, however no direct detection has been announced. To increase the sensitivity of current detectors, a second generation of interferometers is planned which will make gravitational wave astronomy a reality within one decade. The advanced generation of interferometers will represent a substantial upgrade from current detectors. Especially, very high optical power will circulate in the arm cavities in order to reduce by one order of magnitude the shot noise limited sensitivity in high frequency. However, the theoretical shot noise limit will only be achieved after implementation of complex thermal lensing compensation schemes. Thermal lensing is direct consequence of the residual optical absorption inside the substrate and coating of the test masses and could have tragic consequences for the functionality of the interferometer. The Australian Consortium for Interferometric Gravitational Astronomy (ACIGA) in collaboration with LIGO will run a series of high optical power tests to understand the characteristics and effects of thermal lensing. During these tests, techniques to compensate thermal lensing will be experimented. This thesis mainly focused on the first high optical power test in Gingin, Australia. The first test will consist of a Fabry Perot cavity with the sapphire substrate of the input mirror inside the cavity. Due to the high optical circulating power a strong convergent thermal lens will appear in the input mirror substrate. Because of the presence of the thermal lens inside the cavity, the size of the cavity waist will be reduced and the cavity circulating power will decrease. Simulations using higher order mode expansion and FFT propagation code were completed to estimate ways to compensate strong thermal lensing for the Gingin first test. The term `strong thermal lensing? is used because the thermal lens focal length is comparable to the design focal length of the optical components. The expected performance of a fused silica compensation plate is presented and advantages and limits of this method are discussed. Experimental results on small scale actuators which can potentially compensate thermal lensing are detailed. The knowledge gained from these experiments was valuable to design the real scale compensation plate which was used in the first Gingin test. This test was carried at the end of 2005. The thermal lens due to 1 kW of optical power circulating in the sapphire substrate was successfully compensated using a fused silica plate. Yet, thermal lensing compensation may only be required for room temperature advanced interferometer. Indeed, we showed that cooling the interferometer mirror to cryogenic temperature can eliminate the thermal lensing problem and also substantially decrease the mirror thermal noise.

[Truncated abstract] Interferometric gravitational wave detectors are being built around the world with continually improving measurement sensitivities. Noise levels from sources that are intrinsic to these detectors must be reduced to a level below the gravita- tional wave signal. Seismic noise in the low frequency range, which is within the gravitational wave detection bandwidth, is a concern for earth-based detectors. This thesis presents research and development of a high performance vibration isolation system that is designed to attenuate seismic noise. The final design will be used as part of a fully working interferometer at the Australian International Gravitational Observatory (AIGO). Pendulums and springs are conventionally used for the horizontal and vertical vibration isolation components respectively. A complete system comprises of a cascade of these components, each stage dramatically improving the level of isola- tion. The residual motion at the test mass level is thus reduced but is dominated by the normal mode resonances of the chain. A simple and effective method to reduce residual motion further is to add ultra-low frequency pre-isolation stages which suspend the chain. The Roberts Linkage is a relatively new and simple geometrical structure that is implemented in the pre-isolation stages. Here we present experimental results of improving isolation based on mathematical mod- elling. The attenuation of seismic noise in the vertical direction is almost as important as that in the horizontal direction, due to cross-coupling between the two planes. To help improve the vertical performance a lightweight Euler spring that stores no static energy was implemented into the AIGO suspension system. ... Theoretical and experimental results are presented and discussed. Currently the AIGO laboratory consists of two 80 m length arms. They are aligned along the east and south directions. One of AIGO's top priorities is the installation of two complete vibration isolators in the east arm to form a Fabry-Perot cavity. Assembling two suspension systems will enable more accurate performance measurements of the tuned isolators. This would significantly reduce the measurement noise floor as well as eliminate the seismic noise spectrum due to referencing with the ground motion. The processes involved in preparing such a task is presented, including clean room preparation, tuning of each isolator stage, and local control schematics and methods. The status of the AIGO site is also presented.