Physics Colloquium, May 13, 2003

First Results from LIGO

Keith Riles

Associate Professor, Physics
University of Michigan

The LIGO Experiment has begun a series of scientific data taking runs in a search for astrophysical sources of gravitational radiation. The detector consists of three km-scale laser interferometers designed to detect minute perturbations of the local space-time metric. The status of the experiment and preliminary results from searches for gravitational wave sources will be presented. The status of similar gravitational wave experiments now coming on line worldwide will also be briefly summarized. Finally, plans for advanced LIGO interferometers that could increase the sampling volume (and therefore event rate) by more than a factor of 1,000 will be discussed.

3.30 p.m., Smith Laboratory, Room 1005

Refreshments served in Smith 1094 at 3:00 p.m.