Development of Laser Interferometer Gravity-Wave Detectors, and Related Investigations in Experimental Gravity and Gravitational Radiation

该项目继续开发新技术，以扩大地面激光干涉仪的工作频率范围。这些干涉仪主要用于引力波研究和其他敏感测量。这些技术涉及使用激光来监测和减少地面振动的干扰影响。它们将允许超灵敏测量在比目前可行的频率更低的频率下进行。这项研究的最初目标是促进地面搜索来自各种可能的天体物理源的引力波，包括黑洞和旋转的中子星。同样的干涉仪最终也可能用作灵敏的重力梯度计，用来测量由地球物理现象或其他大质量运动引起的局部重力变化。当达到足够的灵敏度时，就有可能探测到远距离地震时地面运动的重力效应。这可能会在地面振动到达之前提供略微提前的信号，并为地震研究提供新的工具。

This project continues the development of new techniques to extend the operating frequency range of ground-based laser interferometers. These interferometers are primarily used in gravitational-wave research and other sensitive measurements. The techniques involve use of laser beams to monitor and reduce the disturbing effects of ground vibrations. They will allow ultra-sensitive measurements to be performed down to lower frequencies than currently practicable. The initial objective of the research is to facilitate ground-based searches for gravitational waves from a wide range of possible astrophysical sources, including black holes and rotating neutron stars. The same interferometers may also eventually be useful as sensitive gravity gradiometers to measure changes in local gravity arising from geophysical phenomena or motions of other large masses. When sufficient sensitivity is achieved, detection of gravitational effects of ground motion at distant earthquakes may be possible. This may provide a signal slightly in advance of the arrival of ground vibrations, and give a new tool for earthquake research.