The Stanford Advanced Gravitational Wave Detector Research Program

斯坦福大学引力波研究计划通过其在LIGO科学合作组织中的成员资格，为LIGO（激光干涉引力波天文台）计划从事引力波探测的研究和开发。斯坦福大学的主要目标是开发先进的LIGO技术，以提高其灵敏度，从而提高探测的可能性。高功率激光器、光电探测器和可靠处理高功率的光学配置的研究将继续致力于提高LIGO在高频下的灵敏度。 将继续研究如何了解和尽量减少探测器核心光学器件中的热噪声，以提高中频灵敏度。 将开发改进的核心光学悬架和隔离平台，以在地面振动目前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。引力波在爱因斯坦的广义相对论中被预测了近90年，但由于所需的极端灵敏度，它们尚未被探测到。相互作用的黑洞、合并的致密双星系统、恒星坍缩、双星和低质量X射线双星都可能是引力波的来源，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，可能很快就会给我们带来第一次探测。更高性能的探测器，如先进的LIGO，应该使我们能够发展引力波天文学，作为宇宙的一个新窗口。斯坦福大学在开发这种探测器的技术方面有一个强大的多学科项目。 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。该计划为未来的科学家和工程师提供本科和研究生水平的培训，它将基础科研与科学教育相结合，并开发和资助宣传和教育更广泛社区的推广计划。

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.