Gravitational Wave Detectors: Technology and Science

Document #:

LIGO-G1000038-v3

Document type:

G - Presentations (eg Graphics)

Abstract:

The search for gravitational waves has entered a new era, with the successful completion of a year's worth
of data collection by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) and collaborating projects. Now, all eyes are on the preparations for Advanced LIGO, slated to come on line in the middle of this decade, which is expected to make frequent detection of gravitational wave signals and open the field of gravitational wave astronomy. In this talk, I will review the basic ideas of interferometric gravitational wave detection, summarize the scientific results to date, and explain some of the fascinating technology behind the rapid progress in this field.

Files in Document:

• Goddard Engineering Colloquium 2010 as given.ppt (11.3 MB)

Topics:

• Education, Outreach

Authors:

• Peter Saulson