InertialSensors · Interferometric inertial sensors for gravitational-wave detectors
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2016-12-02 → 2018-12-01
- EU contribution
- €183,455
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Interferometric inertial sensors for gravitational-wave detectors
The Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors are the most sensitive length-measuring instruments ever built. Since the start of the InertialSensors project, the sensitivity of these detectors not only enabled the first ever observation of gravitational-waves, but the observation of 11 different events in our universe! The observations have provided further proof of Einstein’s general theory of relativity, and they have also changed the way we conduct astronomy. The first, and thus far ‘loudest’, signal created a length change of 10^{-18}m in the Advanced LIGO detectors. To achieve this mind-boggling level of sensitivity, LIGO relies on several stages of a sophisticated and very effective vibration isolation system. However, despite using hundreds of state-of-the-art seismometers, the performance of LIGO is still partially limited by the sensors inside the active isolation system. The aim of the InertialSensors project is to improve the performance of seismometers by using highly-sensitive interferometer readout. We propose to employ the core-technology of gravitational-wave detectors (interferometers) to create a new kind of seismometer, and then use that seismometer to improve the performance of the detector. There are three major challenges in building seismometers: 1. Building very stable mechanics to softly suspend a ‘reference mass’, 2. Precisely measure the position of the mass, and 3. Control the position of the mass so that it doesn’t move too far. We skipped the first challenge by using existing high-quality mechanics developed over the last three decades. For the second challenge, interferometers are excellent sensors that can have an extremely high resolution. To defeat the third challenge, we will use interferometers that are capable of measuring over a wide range, thus removing the need for active control of the reference mass.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The detection of gravitational waves is expected within the decade and it will start a new era in astronomy. A limiting factor for all earth-based gravitational-wave detectors is isolation from ground motion that limits both low frequency sensitivity and detector operation. We propose to develop a new kind of extremely low-noise inertial sensors using laser-interferometer readout that can drastically improve active seismic isolation systems. The interferometric readout developed at Birmingham has low noise, huge dynamic range, and highly linear readout. This combination of properties allows a radical redesign and simplification of the mechanical components of an inertial sensor, and the removal of many common sources of noise. The technology required to build these sensors has many potential applications outside the field. The experienced researcher, Dr Mow-Lowry, will lead the experimental work and manage the project under the guidance of Professor Freise, and by the end of the proposal he will have proven his ability to deliver key instrumentation, making the transition from scientific contributor to principal investigator. In the years following, he will be ideally placed to exploit the project outcomes through scientific collaboration and commercialisation.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM · BirminghamCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union