A Search for Gravitational Radiation at LIGO: Oregon Experimental Relativity Group

俄勒冈州小组将继续其积极的努力，旨在发现引力波与先进的LIGO，在LIGO科学合作（LSC）的工作。然而，在接下来的三年里，最重要的是，俄勒冈州小组将把从最初的LIGO探测器表征经验中获得的深厚专业知识应用于高级LIGO。特别是，我们在寻找、描述和减轻非LIGO干涉仪固有噪声源方面的领导地位将对Advanced LIGO的成功至关重要。在这段过渡期间，随着新系统的安装和启用，这些调查将是最有价值的。这将通过两个主要的调查途径进行：（1）探测器表征，和（2）数据分析，特别是在制定战略，以寻找与天体物理触发相关的引力波瞬变，如伽马射线暴（GRB）或超新星。对于探测器特性，重点将是询问先进的LIGO子系统，因为他们上线。我们将识别LIGO干涉仪与环境噪声之间潜在的问题耦合在数据分析和引力波科学方面，俄勒冈州小组计划继续在制定战略和分析方面发挥核心作用，以寻找天体物理触发的，瞬时引力波信号首要目标是准备好一整套分析工具，包括在Advanced LIGO开始科学运行时与天文合作伙伴及时通信的基础设施。随着LIGO从引力波科学的发现阶段过渡到一个完整的计划，俄勒冈州小组将准备好利用丰富的科学机会。在未来三年内，对引力波的发现-爱因斯坦广义相对论预测的基本自然现象-的探索将进入一个关键阶段。LIGO项目正在向“高级”阶段过渡。先进的LIGO将在三年内完成，预计将具有首次直接探测引力波信号所需的灵敏度。这一发现一旦实现，将开启天文学和天体物理学的新时代，因为引力波将提供一种独特的宇宙观，与光、无线电、x射线、伽马射线、中微子或其他天文信使所提供的宇宙观不同。

The Oregon group will continue its vigorous efforts aimed at discovery of gravitational waves with Advanced LIGO, working within the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC). However, most importantly for the next three years, the Oregon group will apply to Advanced LIGO the deep expertise gained from the initial LIGO experience in detector characterization. In particular, our leadership in finding, describing, and mitigating noise sources which are not intrinsic to the LIGO interferometers will be crucial to the success of Advanced LIGO. And it is during this period of transition, as the new systems are being installed and commissioned, that these investigations will be most valuable. This will be carried out via two main avenues of inquiry: (1) detector characterization, and (2) data analysis, especially in developing strategies to search for gravitational wave transients associated with astrophysical triggers, such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) or supernovae. For detector characterization, the focus will be to interrogate Advanced LIGO sub-systems as they come on line. We will identify potentially problematic couplings of the LIGO interferometers to noise from the environment (electromagnetic, seismic, acoustic, cosmic-ray, etc), determine the physical character of the coupling, and use this knowledge to reduce or mitigate it. In data analysis and gravitational wave science, the Oregon group plans to continue to play a central role in developing strategies and analyses to search for astrophysically-triggered, transient gravitational wave signals. The overriding goal is to be ready with a full arsenal of analysis tools, including infrastructure to provide timely communication with astronomical partners, when Advanced LIGO begins science running. And as LIGO makes the transition from a discovery phase to a full program of gravitational wave science, the Oregon group will be poised to exploit the rich scientific opportunities available.During the next three years, the quest for the discovery of gravitational waves -- a fundamental natural phenomenon predicted by Einstein's General Relativity -- will enter a critical phase. The LIGO project is transitioning to its "advanced" phase. Advanced LIGO, when complete in about three years, is expected to have the exquisite sensitivity required to directly detect gravitational wave signals for the first time. This discovery, when realized, will usher in a new era of astronomy and astrophysics, as gravitational waves will provide a unique view of the cosmos, distinct from that provided by light, radio, x-rays, gamma rays, neutrinos, or other astronomical messengers.