Detection of Gravitational Waves: Advanced Research and Development for LIGO

该小组将为激光干涉仪引力波天文台(LIGO)进行一项多方面的高级研究和开发计划。该计划将集中于四个主要领域，与改进LIGO探测系统和分析LIGO数据有关。首先，该小组将通过研究悬浮信号循环干涉仪来确定控制策略，并评估下一次LIGO升级中与悬浮干涉仪相关的问题。其次，他们将评估超过100W的高激光功率对关键光学部件(如调制器、法拉第光隔离器和其他透射式光学元件)的影响。将制定战略，将不能容忍高功率的光学元件的暴露水平降至最低。第三，该小组将开发基于小波变换的用于瞬时信号检测的数据分析方法，继续开发用于LIGO端到端模型的组件，并开展噪声表征的关键研究。第四，他们将探索白光腔，作为未来几代引力波探测器达到宽带量子有限灵敏度的一种方式。在这项研究过程中，佛罗里达大学LIGO小组将与LIGO实验室、格拉斯哥大学、斯坦福大学和澳大利亚国立大学合作。

This group will conduct a multi-faceted program of advanced research and development for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). The program will concentrate on four main areas related to the development of improvements to the LIGO detection system and to the analysis of LIGO data.First, the group will determine control strategies and assess problems associated with suspended interferometers for the next LIGO upgrade through the study of a suspended signal-recycled interferometer. Second, they will asses the effects of high laser power, in excess of 100 W, on critical optical components (such as modulators, Faraday isolators, and other transmissive optics). Strategies will be developed for minimizing exposure levels to optical elements that cannot tolerate high powers. Third, the group will develop data analysis methods based on wavelet transforms for transient signal detection, continue to develop components for the LIGO end-to-end model, and undertake a critical study of noise characterization. Fourth, they will explore white light cavities as a way of reaching broadband quantum limited sensitivity for future generations of gravitational wave detectors. In the course of this research, the University of Florida LIGO group will collaborate with the LIGO Laboratory, Glasgow University, Stanford University, and the Australian National University.