The Stanford Advanced Gravitational Wave Detector Research Program

斯坦福高级引力波探测器研究计划

• 批准号: 0502641
• 负责人: Robert Byer
• 金额: $ 398.96万
• 依托单位: Stanford University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-09-01 至 2009-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0502641&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Stanford; Advanced; Gravitational; Wave; Detector

The Stanford gravitational wave research program is engaged in research and development on gravitational wave detection for the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) program through its membership in the LIGO Science Collaboration. Stanford's main objective is the development of technologies for Advanced LIGO that will increase its sensitivity and thus improve the probability of detection. Research on high power lasers, photo-detectors, and optical configurations that reliably handle high power will be continued toward enhancing LIGO sensitivity at high frequencies. Studies on understanding and minimizing thermal noise in the detector's core optics will be pursued to enhance sensitivity at intermediate frequencies. Improved core optic suspensions and isolation platforms will be developed to enable higher sensitivity at low frequencies where ground vibrations currently limit performance. The Stanford program will also include data analysis and modeling of periodic gravitational wave sources.Gravitational waves were predicted almost 90 years ago in Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, but they have not yet been detected due to the extreme sensitivity required. Interacting black holes, coalescing compact binary stellar systems, stellar collapses, pulsars and low mass X-ray binaries are all possible sources of gravitational waves, as is the random background of radiation from the early universe. Laser interferometer detectors, which operate by measuring strains in the fabric of space-time that are expected to be produced by gravitational waves, are now becoming operational and may soon give us a first detection. Detectors of higher performance, such as Advanced LIGO, should allow us to develop gravitational wave astronomy as a new window on the Universe. Stanford has a strong, multidisciplinary program in developing the technology for such detectors. Participants include mechanical, electrical and control engineers, physicists and materials researchers. The program provides training for future scientists and engineers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, it integrates basic scientific research with scientific education, and it develops and funds outreach programs that inform and educate the broader community.

斯坦福引力波研究项目通过其 LIGO 科学合作组织的成员资格，致力于 LIGO（激光干涉仪引力波观测站）项目的引力波探测研究和开发。斯坦福大学的主要目标是开发先进 LIGO 技术，提高其灵敏度，从而提高检测概率。将继续对高功率激光器、光电探测器和可靠处理高功率的光学配置进行研究，以提高 LIGO 在高频下的灵敏度。 将进行有关理解和最小化探测器核心光学器件中的热噪声的研究，以提高中频的灵敏度。 将开发改进的核心光学悬架和隔离平台，以在目前地面振动限制性能的低频下实现更高的灵敏度。斯坦福大学的项目还将包括周期性引力波源的数据分析和建模。大约 90 年前，爱因斯坦的广义相对论就预言了引力波，但由于所需的极高灵敏度，引力波尚未被检测到。相互作用的黑洞、合并致密双星系统、恒星塌缩、脉冲星和低质量X射线双星都是引力波的可能来源，早期宇宙辐射的随机背景也是如此。激光干涉仪探测器通过测量时空结构中预计由引力波产生的应变来工作，现在正在投入使用，并可能很快为我们提供首次探测。更高性能的探测器，例如先进的 LIGO，应该能够让我们发展引力波天文学，作为了解宇宙的新窗口。斯坦福大学有一个强大的多学科项目来开发此类探测器的技术。 参与者包括机械、电气和控制工程师、物理学家和材料研究人员。该计划为未来的本科生和研究生水平的科学家和工程师提供培训，将基础科学研究与科学教育相结合，并开发和资助为更广泛的社区提供信息和教育的外展计划。