Department of Physics
MIT
Gravitational waves: a new window to the Universe
The first ever detections of gravitational waves from colliding black holes
and neutron stars have launched a new era of gravitational wave astrophysics. I
will describe the science, technology, and human story behind these discoveries
that provide a completely new window into some of the most violent and warped
events in the Universe, and are helping to solve decades-long mysteries.
Listening for gravitational waves above the quantum din
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detected
gravitational waves for the first time in 2015. Since then dozens more
astrophysical observations have been confirmed. To detect these spacetime
ripples requires measurement with attometer precision. I will describe the
quantum technologies that make such a measurement possible and enable present
and future discoveries.
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