Detection of Gravitational Waves: Advanced Research and Development for LIGO

This group will conduct a multi-faceted program of advanced research and development for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). The program will concentrate on four main areas related to the development of improvements to the LIGO detection system and to the analysis of LIGO data.

First, the group will determine control strategies and assess problems associated with suspended interferometers for the next LIGO upgrade through the study of a suspended signal-recycled interferometer. Second, they will asses the effects of high laser power, in excess of 100 W, on critical optical components (such as modulators, Faraday isolators, and other transmissive optics). Strategies will be developed for minimizing exposure levels to optical elements that cannot tolerate high powers. Third, the group will develop data analysis methods based on wavelet transforms for transient signal detection, continue to develop components for the LIGO end-to-end model, and undertake a critical study of noise characterization. Fourth, they will explore white light cavities as a way of reaching broadband quantum limited sensitivity for future generations of gravitational wave detectors. In the course of this research, the University of Florida LIGO group will collaborate with the LIGO Laboratory, Glasgow University, Stanford University, and the Australian National University.