Construction, Operation, and Supporting Research and Development of a Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory

这是一个项目，建立和操作激光 干涉仪引力波天文台（LIGO）和 继续研究和开发干涉测量探测器 更高的敏感性。 LIGO包括 4公里臂长和支架的干涉仪装置 设施;这些设施将设在两个广泛的 在美国大陆的不同地点， 同时进行引力探测 波 LIGO项目是科学家们的共同努力， 加州理工学院和马萨诸塞州 技术学院，包括合作项目 与斯坦福大学、科罗拉多大学和其他 机构职能体系 该观测站将作为用户运行 设施，开放供全国社区使用，并将 成为计划中的全球引力网络的一部分 波浪观测站 拟议中的LIGO是基于几乎两个 几十年的科学研究和发展。 最终 LIGO计划的目标包括：（1）测试爱因斯坦的 广义相对论-特别是测量 引力辐射的速度和极化， 研究领域的高度非线性，动态重力， （2）打开了一扇观察宇宙的窗口 这与由以下提供的基本不同： 电磁或粒子天文学。

This is a project to build and operate a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and to continue research and development of interferometric detectors of ever higher sensitivities. The proposed LIGO includes interferometer installations of 4-km arm length and support facilities; these installations would be located at two widely separated sites in the continental United States and would operate in coincidence for the detection of gravitational waves. The LIGO project is a joint effort of scientists at the California Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and includes collaborative programs with scientists at Stanford, University of Colorado, and other institutions. The observatory will be operated as a user facility, open for use by the national community, and will become part of a planned worldwide network of gravitational- wave observatories. The proposed LIGO is based on almost two decades of science research and development. The ultimate objectives of the LIGO program include (1) tests of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity---in particular, measurement of the velocity and polarization of gravitational radiation and studies of the domain of highly nonlinear, dynamic gravity, and (2) the opening of an observational window on the universe that differs fundamentally from that provided by electromagnetic or particle astronomy.