In order to observe gravitational waves, the mirror positions must be controlled very precisely. How is this “locked” state reached and why is it a chicken & egg problem? Quick read in this LIGO Magazine article:

https://www.ligo.org/magazine/LIGO-magazine-issue-5.pdf#page=32 [pdf]

#Waiting4O4 #O4 #TechnologyTuesday

A trick of the light? Why do gravitational-wave detectors such as @LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA need high quality laser light? Answers in the current LIGO Magazine this #TechnologyTuesday:

📰 https://www.ligo.org/magazine/LIGO-magazine-issue22.pdf#page=36 [pdf]

#Waiting4O4 #O4 #laser #interferometry

Squeezed Light? How can one squeeze light? How this quantum mechanical trick works and why it is an important ingredient of gravitational-wave detectors in this LIGO Magazine article:

➡️ https://www.ligo.org/magazine/LIGO-magazine-issue-3.pdf#page=32 [pdf]

#Waiting4O4 #O4 #SqueezedLight #TechnologyTuesday

All gravitational-wave signals observed by @LIGO and Virgo are from merging pairs of black holes or neutron stars. But wait, there's more! Meet continuous gravitational waves in LIGO Magazine issue 14:

📰 https://www.ligo.org/magazine/LIGO-magazine-issue14.pdf#page=36 [pdf]

#Waiting4O4 #O4 #TechnologyTuesday

It's #TechnologyTuesday: While we prepare for O4, let's have a look at an “optical resonator”, a device used in many places in gravitational-wave detectors. LIGO Magazine article from the 1st issue:

📰 https://www.ligo.org/magazine/LIGO-magazine-issue-1.pdf#page=36 [pdf]

#Waiting4O4 #O4 #GravitationalWaves

Once a gravitational wave has been found, we need to understand where it comes from. Parameter estimation to the rescue! For our #TechnologyTuesday look at @cplberry's LIGO Magazine “How does it work” article on this topic.

➡️ https://www.ligo.org/magazine/LIGO-magazine-issue-7.pdf#page=32 [pdf]

#Waiting4O4 #O4

anTenna Tuesday
Sandia Crest east of Albuquerque
[vertical photo]

The highest portion of the Sandia Mountains bordering the city is not a peak, but a ridge line that is known locally as The Crest. Near the northern end is a forest of TV, FM radio, and microwave antennas.

Our original TV stations, back in the 1950s, were able to provide strong signals to the Albuquerque and surrounding areas negating the need for CATV for many years. On a clear day you can see them from anywhere in the city.

#photo #technology #history #NewMexico #TechnologyTuesday

Gravitational-wave detectors are astonishingly sensitive devices. How are they protected or “isolated” from the ever present motion of the ground? Discover how this works in this LIGO Magazine article from issue 17: https://www.ligo.org/magazine/LIGO-magazine-issue17.pdf#page=36 [pdf] #TechnologyTuesday #Waiting4O4 #O4