8–10 Apr 2013
University of Liverpool
Europe/London timezone

The Search for Gravitational Waves

9 Apr 2013, 17:00
30m
Lecture Theatre A, Central Teaching Hub (University of Liverpool)

Lecture Theatre A, Central Teaching Hub

University of Liverpool

Plenary - APP Experimental Plenary - APP Experimental

Speaker

James Hough (University of Glasgow)

Description

Gravitational waves – a prediction of Einstein’s General Relativity – are still among the most elusive signals from far out in the Universe. Over the past decade the laser interferometric detectors LIGO, Virgo and GEO 600 have been commissioned and operated at their design or close to design sensitivity. However in keeping with source strength predictions and, as expected, no gravitational wave signals were observed. Now these detectors are being upgraded and observations will begin again around 2015 with the real expectation that signals from coalescing binary systems will be observed. Such is the confidence currently, that a new detector is being built in Japan in the Kamioka mine and the third of the LIGO detectors is likely to be transferred to India, thus creating a truly world-wide network. In this talk I will explain the nature of gravitational waves, why it is scientifically important to observe them, and the current state of the field.

Primary author

James Hough (University of Glasgow)

Presentation materials