Pre-stabilized Lasers for Advanced Detectors

Gravitational wave detectors need very stable continuous wave laser sources able to delivering high power beams. Realization of those lasers is a special R&D calling on very low noise controls on very reliable laser sources. After a brief introduction on the laser principles, we review the current laser sources for gravitational wave interferometric detectors, shortly describing the technologies of both solid-state and fiber lasers and amplifiers. A final section addresses the issue of laser pre-stabilization.