Title: "Probing the Universe for
Gravitational Waves"
Date: Monday, April 12, 2004
Time: 4:10 p.m.
Place: 55 Roessler Hall
Host: Tripathi
Albert
Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves in 1916 as a
consequence of his general theory of relativity. These waves remain to be
detected, however, almost 100 years later. In Einstein’s theory, concentrations
of mass (or energy) warp space-time, and changes in the shape of such objects
cause distortions that propagate through the Universe at the speed of light.
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is being
developed with sensitivity that should be capable of the detection of
gravitational waves resulting from such astrophysical sources as merging
compact binary systems, spinning neutron stars, supernovae explosions and even
cosmological sources. LIGO consists of two widely separated long baseline
interferometers that can be used standalone or in coincidence. These
sophisticated interferometers have been construction and the commissioning is
well along. The detectors are already the most sensitive in the world and the
first searches have been performed. I will discuss the science of gravitational
waves, the technology and detector performance, the first upper limits, and
finally the prospects for the future.
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Refreshments
3:50 p.m., Physics/Geology
Bldg. Entrance
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