CM Seminar: Advanced LIGO: building a new window to the universe with quantum matter, Jess McIver, UBC.
October 24 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Speaker: Jess McIver, UBC.
Time: 10:00-11:00am
Location: BRIM 311
Abstract: Have you ever wondered how the Advanced LIGO detectors can sense relative displacements more than 1,000 times smaller than the width of a proton? This unprecedented sensitivity is enabled in part by thin film technology! In this talk, we’ll tour the Advanced LIGO detectors to get a sense for how we can detect gravitational waves with laser interferometers. We’ll summarize the performance of today’s gravitational-wave detectors and what we’ve learned about the Universe with gravitational waves so far. Finally, we’ll discuss the pivotal role of material science advances in developing future gravitational-wave detectors and unlocking the invisible Universe.
