A Gravitational Wave Observatory Operating Beyond the Quantum Shot-Noise Limit
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Journal / Book Title
Nature Physics
Abstract
Around the globe several observatories are seeking the first direct detection of gravitational waves (GWs). These waves are predicted by Einstein's general theory of relativity and are generated, for example, by black-hole binary systems. Present GW detectors are Michelson-type kilometre-scale laser interferometers measuring the distance changes between mirrors suspended in vacuum. The sensitivity of these detectors at frequencies above several hundred hertz is limited by the vacuum (zero-point) fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. A quantum technology - the injection of squeezed light - offers a solution to this problem. Here we demonstrate the squeezed-light enhancement of GEO 600, which will be the GW observatory operated by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration in its search for GWs for the next 3-4 years. GEO 600 now operates with its best ever sensitivity, which proves the usefulness of quantum entanglement and the qualification of squeezed light as a key technology for future GW astronomy.
DOI
10.1038/NPHYS2083
MSU Digital Commons Citation
The LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Ghosh, Shaon, "A Gravitational Wave Observatory Operating Beyond the Quantum Shot-Noise Limit" (2011). Department of Physics and Astronomy Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 2.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/physics-astron-facpubs/2
Published Citation
LIGO Scientific Collaboration. (2011). A gravitational wave observatory operating beyond the quantum shot-noise limit: squeezed light in application. arXiv preprint arXiv:1109.2295.
Comments
This article is a collaboration of the LIGO Scientific collaboration. Additional authors may be found on the publication.