Development of cryogenic technologies applicable to multi-nested pendula and a fellowship program to work at LIGO lab

Abstract

Gravitational waves are disturbances in space-time propagating through space-time itself at the speed of light. They were first predicted by Einstein's General Relativity theory in 1916, but indirect evidence of their existence was presented only in 1975. No direct detection has occurred so far. It is possible to detect them using masses at a distance from each other and monitoring the relative motion between them. This is the working principle of interferometric detectors such as LIGO. LIGO is located in the U.S in two different sites about 3000 km away from each other: one in Livingston, Louisiana and the other in Hanford, Washington. The development of both detectors started in the begging of the 1990's and now they are already near the end of the first observing run of its 2nd (advanced) version. While the 2nd version is ongoing, planning for the 3rd generation is already starting. As a solution to improve even more the detectors' sensitivity, a cryogenic detector using the current facilities has been proposed for the next generation. However, there is a great challenge concerning the integration of cryogenic engineering for cooling the mirrors with the adequate vibration isolation. That's where GWINPE R&D is involved. GWINPE was the first Brazilian group associated to the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, as a member of the SWG subgroup. GWINPE's work involves a cryogenic nested system used to provide vibration isolation, while saving vertical space, supported by the FAPESP grant #2012/22752-1. Scientific discussions concerning this project are made with the SWG, especially with Brian Lantz and Brett Shapiro, both from Stanford. A visit to LIGO/Livingston and Stanford will be of great interest for this project and for INPE. (AU)