NPA Seminar, Lee McCuller, MIT, “Wielding the Quantum Correlations in advanced LIGO”

Optical interferometers have begun a new era of astrophysics by measuring vast lengths to such precision that gravitational waves from distant collisions of black holes and neutron stars are now regularly observed. This past run, the global gravitational wave network itself entered a new era, whereby every detector’s sensitivity is enhanced using quantum squeezed states of light. Manipulating profound measurement precision has profound consequences – measurement back action, in LIGO taking the form of quantum radiation pressure noise on 40kg mirrors. We demonstrate using the interaction of squeezing with the quantum correlations between the light and mirrors to reduce the radiation pressure noise and defeat the standard quantum limit. In the next observing run, LIGO plans to reduce both imprecision and back-action at the same time using a filter cavity for frequency dependent squeezing, further advancing its unprecedented sensitivity to astrophysics.
In-person attendance will be capped at 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the current Yale policies.
More Information: https://covid19.yale.edu/campus-life/events-gatherings-meetings
Please email the host for the Zoom connection information.
Host: Michael Jewell
michael.jewell@yale.edu