chanelink logo
CHANELINK
English

This innovation will significantly improve the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors

553
2024-04-17 16:23:40
See translation

In 2017, the detection of gravitational waves generated by the merger of binary neutron stars marked a significant breakthrough in physics. These waves reveal important information about the universe, from the origin of short gamma ray bursts to the formation of heavy elements.

However, capturing gravitational waves from the merged residue remains a challenge as these waves avoid the detection range of the current detector. However, they can illuminate the internal structure of neutron stars.

The solution may lie in amplifying signals through optical springs and simulating spring behavior using the radiation pressure of light. The Tokyo Institute of Technology's Japan research group, led by associate professors Kentaro Somiya and Dr. Sotatsu Otabe, has proposed an innovation: Kerr effect enhanced optical springs.

In order to make the system more sensitive without requiring more energy, researchers used special techniques in optical equipment. They introduced a material called Kerr medium. This material has a unique characteristic of changing the refractive index of light.

Due to this feature, the device can act as a harder optical spring, thereby enhancing its ability to respond to very subtle changes (such as those caused by gravitational waves) without consuming more energy. Tests have shown that this method increases the hardness of lightweight springs by 1.6 times, enabling the device to detect changes at higher frequencies (from 53 Hz to 67 Hz).

This progress paves the way for the next generation of gravitational wave detectors, which can detect elusive waves to date and provide us with an additional key to understanding the composition of the universe. The proposed design is easy to implement and introduces adjustable parameters into the optomechanical system.

Source: Laser Net

Related Recommendations

  • New laser technology can achieve more efficient facial recognition

    Recently, the latest research report from FLEET, an interdisciplinary research team in Australia, revealed a significant leap in laser technology, achieving unprecedented levels of spectral purity.Spectral purity, which refers to the degree of matching of a single light frequency (or color) generated by a laser, is an important indicator for measuring laser performance. By using a scanning Fabry P...

    2024-06-24
    See translation

  • BOFA launches the latest generation of high-temperature 3D printing filtration technology

    BOFA has consolidated its position as a market leader in additive manufacturing of portable smoke and particle filtration systems with the latest generation of 3D PrintPRO technology designed specifically for high-temperature processes.3D PrintPRO HT focuses on the 230V market and can filter high-temperature particles, gases, and nanoparticles emitted during polymer processing in the printing room...

    2024-04-15
    See translation

  • Thorlabs announces acquisition of Praevium Research

    On January 13, 2025, Thorlabs announced the acquisition of long-term partner Praevium Research, a developer of high-speed tunable VCSEL. In the future, Praevium will continue to operate as a department of Thorlabs under the name Praevium Research at its existing locations in California, while retaining its current leadership.It is understood that Christopher Burgner will serve as the general man...

    01-16
    See translation

  • TAU Systems upgrades the University of Texas desktop laser to a peak power of 40 terawatts

    TAU Systems, a manufacturer of ultra fast compact laser plasma accelerators, announced today that it has successfully upgraded the existing desktop terawatt laser (UT 3) at the University of Texas to a new and improved performance that provides power for compact particle accelerators. The upgraded UT 3 driver laser can now generate ultra short pulses with a peak power of 40 terawatts.This upgrade ...

    2023-08-21
    See translation

  • Leica Measurement System Development First Person Laser Scanner

    Leica Geosystems, a subsidiary of Hexagon, has developed Leica BLK2GO PULSE, its first person laser scanner, which combines LiDAR sensor technology with the original Leica BLK2GO shape. The technology will be released in early 2024.The scanner provides users with a fast, simple, and intuitive first person scanning method that can be controlled through a smartphone and provides real-time full color...

    2023-10-19
    See translation