The Python wrapper PyKat extends the optical interferometer modeling software Finesse (ascl:2004.013). It provides an efficient GUI for conducting complex numerical simulations and manipulating and viewing simulation setups, and enables the use of Python's extensive scientific software ecosystem.

Finesse is a numeric simulation for laser interferometers and models parametric instabilities, easily providing the required mechanical-to-optical transfer functions in imperfect and arbitrary interferometer configurations using Hermite-Gaussian beams. The code has been used to apply limits to the number and type of higher order modes used in simulation and investigate the potential use of higher order Laguerre-Gauss modes to reduce thermal noise in future gravitational wave detector designs. The PyKat wrapper (ascl:2004.014) helps automate complex Finesse tasks.