IDC351 Report number:02

Type of Talk : Physics

Author:Adesh N Shinde

MS17190

Title : Detection of Gravitational Waves

Speaker: Prof. Martin Hendry

Head of School/ Professor of Gravitational Astrophysics and Cosmology. (Physics Astronomy),
University of Glasgow

21 February 2020
 2

I. BACKGROUND
Gravitational-wave detector is a device which is intended to measure tiny
distortions of space-time identified by way of gravitational waves. Distortions of
space-time were 1st prophesied by Einstein in 1916. Accelerated masses cause
perturbation in theoretical curvature of space-time, there perturbations are called
as gravitational waves. The presence of gravitational radiation is an exact
estimation of general relativity. Detection of gravitational waves from black hole
merger was proclaimed by Advanced LIGO team in Feb 2016.

II. OVERVIEW OF THE TALK

A. Gravitational Wave Detectors

Gravitational waves are unseen ripples in space-time which propagates through
space by speed of light. These waves stretch and squeeze the whole thing
whatsoever arises in their track as they pass over. Einstein prophesied that when
2 enormously massive bodies come close, they produce ripple in space similar as
ripples produced by throwing stones in a pool. But the instant query stands up is,
how to spot gravitation waves. As basis of gravitational waves are distant from the
Earth, thus gravitational waves become very frail as they reach on Earth making
the hard to spot. From 1960s several observatories were made to spot gravitational
waves, with enhancement in technology we are nowadays capable of spot
gravitational waves. A crew of scientists spotted gravitational waves for the very
1st time in 2015. They used a very subtle instrument LIGO (Laser Interferometer
Gravitational-Wave Observatory). The detector works on interference of light.
But the recognition of gravitational wave is not that easy since variation in arm
length can be as small as 1/10,000 the size of proton which is around 10−19 m. Since
so much accuracy required, are a bit possible noises must be uninvolved.

FIG. 1. Basic schematic of LIGO

 3

B. Noise

Detector must subtle enough to distinguish gravitational waves as of background

noise to spot gravitational waves. The L-shaped LIGO instruments are made up of
2 perpendicular arms, each four km elongated. A passing gravitational wave will
interchangeably stretch 1 arm then squeeze the other, then vice-versa; it will
produce an interference pattern on screen of the interferometer, which can be
measured by photo-detectors. Numerous non gravitational wave signals can
copycat the gravitational wave signal.Though these noises are very weak and
jointly form an acquainted pattern which can be recognized and detached but
gravitational wave signals are also very frail, which makes this job even tougher.
Thus, even the most invisible forces on the mirrors of LIGO are sufficient to
pamper the measurement.
Some cases of noise are as follows,

1. Quantum noise- The discrete nature of light and the statistical uncertainty
from the ”photon counting” which is completed by the photo-detectors can be
a basis of quantum noise.

2. Thermal noise-The microscopic fluctuations of the specific atoms in the

mirrors and their suspensions can be a reason of thermal noise.

3. Seismic noise- The gesture of the mirrors from ground earthquakes, vibrations,
ocean waves, wind, and human activities like vehicle traffic can be a source of
seismic noise.

4. The analog electronics and digital electronics that are used to measure the
signals itself can be a source of electronic noise.

5. If scattered light recombines with main laser beam, scattering of light by

mirrors can also cause noise.

C. Reduction of Noise and Advancement in LIGO

Machine learning can be used to decrease signal noise. Pattern of signal noise can
be foretold and thus can be detached by using machine learning. Gravitational
waves give a big opportunity to understand our universe in totally changed way.
At first established LIGO was not subtle sufficient to spot such type of ripples.
Presently running LIGO project is subtle up to some amount to spot gravitational
waves. Advanced LIGO project will entirely upgrade the interferometer which will
bring the sensitivity of instruments so high that recognition of gravitational waves
 4

will be routine incidence.

III. COMMENTS
Such a minute perturbation is boring task. Change is length of arms are ever 1000 times lesser than size of proton
which makes even supplementary harder to sense it. Even a minor perturbation can be a reason of problems in
recognition of gravitational waves.

IV. SUMMARY
Detection of waves can offer us info about which kind of huge objects are merged.
There are numerous fields, enhancement in which can offer us well sensitivity of
instruments. With alliance of various gravitational interferometer observatories
will bring additional reliability on estimation of gravitational waves. Even a tiny
noise can be a reason of problem in finding of original signal of gravitational
waves.

V. REFERENCES
1. https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/page/what-is-interferometer
2. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/gravitational-waves/en/
3. https://www.advancedligo.mit.edu/