Colloquium

LIGO, on the Threshold of Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Dr. Stan Whitcomb
Caltech

Wednesday, April 18, 2007   4:00 p.m.  NSH 118

(Refreshments at 3:30 p.m. NSH 202)

 

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) is a world-leading project to detect astrophysical gravitational waves and to use them to study their sources. The LIGO interferometers are unprecedented in their sensitivity, capable of measuring motions of mirrors of less than 1e-18 m over a 4 km baseline. In late 2005, the LIGO interferometers achieved their full design sensitivity and LIGO initiated its most ambitious Science Run to date. This achievement, the search results to date, and the prospects for detecting different sources in this initial search will be reported, as well as the plans for a second generation instrument that will qualitatively change the field.