The search for gravitational waves

When?

Thursday 8 December 2011, 16.00

Where?

Griffiths Lecture Theatre

Open to:

Staff, Students

Speaker:

Professor Sheila Rowan MBE, University of Glasgow

The detection of gravitational waves remains one of the most challenging problems in experimental physics. Observation will allow us to see deep into some of the most violent events in the Universe; sources such as coalescing compact binary systems, neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries, stellar collapses and pulsars are all possible candidates for detection. Significant progress has been made in recent years on the development of gravitational-wave detectors.A review of science runs from the current generation of ground-based detectors will be discussed, in addition to highlighting the astrophysical results gained thus far.

Looking to the future, the major upgrades to the worldwide network of GW detectors will be completed over the coming years, which will create a network of detectors with the significantly improved sensitivity required to detect gravitational waves. Beyond this, the concept and design of possible future “third generation” gravitational-wave detectors, such as the Einstein Telescope (ET), will be discussed.

Drinks reception to follow seminar from17.00 in 30BB03 Physics Seminar Room. All welcome.