Enabling Research for the Next Generation GW Detectors

先进的LIGO打开了宇宙的引力波窗口，改变了引力、天体物理学和宇宙学，为多信使观测建立了新的范式。构建第三代地基干涉引力波探测器网络的科学案例具有大约10倍的灵敏度改进。探测器将观测宇宙中所有的致密双星合并，并将这一新领域带入宇宙学研究。改进探测器的最现实的方法是增加干涉仪臂的长度，因为引力波信号随着长度而增长，而大多数重要的限制噪声与长度无关，或者随着长度缓慢变化。探测器成本的很大一部分将用于束管所需的超高真空（UHV）系统和准备场地的土木工程。该小组建议探索真空技术中的一系列概念，这些概念可以将UHV管系统的成本降低约2倍，相当于在第三代探测器中节省2亿至3亿美元。该计划将探索新技术，以经济地制造真空系统，使用和建立在最新的冶金和材料科学创新。这些调查将与能源部（FNAL）和一个国际伙伴（CERN）合作进行。成功地确定新的制造方法和束管设计将具有超越引力波天体物理学直接利益的适用性。使LHC相形见绌的下一代高能对撞机也需要创新的真空基础设施概念。材料涂层研究的适用性，将被探索也有望在各种工业应用中使用涂层钢的经济影响。该奖项旨在推动第三代探测器的建设，将为吸引、激励和教育未来的科学家、公民和领导者创造新的机会。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Advanced LIGO transformed gravitation, astrophysics and cosmology by opening the gravitational- wave window on the universe, establishing a new paradigm for multimessenger observations. The scientific case for constructing a network of 3rd generation ground based interferometric gravitational wave detectors with about a factor 10X sensitivity improvement is compelling. The detectors would observe all the compact binary coalescences in the universe and bring the new field into cosmological research. The most realistic way to improve the detectors is by increasing the length of the interferometer arms as the gravitational wave signals grow with the length while most of the significant limiting noise is independent of, or varies slowly, with the length. A significant fraction of cost of the detectors will be in the ultra-high vacuum (UHV) system needed for the beam tubes and the civil work in preparing the site. The group proposes to explore a range of concepts in vacuum technology that could reduce the cost of UHV tube systems by a factor of about 2X, amounting to a saving of $200M to $300M in a 3rd generation detector. The program will explore novel techniques to economically fabricate vacuum systems using and building on the latest metallurgical and materials science innovations. The investigations will be conducted in collaboration with the DOE (FNAL) and an international partner (CERN). Successfully identifying novel fabrication approaches and beam tube designs will have applicability beyond the immediate interests of gravitational wave astrophysics. Next generation high energy colliders that dwarf the LHC will also need innovative concepts for their vacuum infrastructure. The applicability of the material coatings research that will be explored also promises to have an economic impact in the use of coated steels for various industrial applications. The initiative here, to enable the construction of 3rd generation detectors, will generate new opportunities to attract, inspire and educate future scientists, citizens and leaders.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.