In 2014, a new window on the Universe was opened by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) with the first detection of gravitational waves, associated with the merger of two stellar mass black holes. This was the single most energetic event observed, converting 3 solar masses into gravitational radiation energy in approximately a ¼ second, and the detection was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017. Since then, further binary black hole mergers have been observed, in addition to the first observation of a binary neutron star merger in 2017, making a total of 79 events observed and confirmed to this day.
Future improvements to detector sensitivity are required to truly exploit this new field of gravitational wave astronomy. One of the most challenging areas is reducing thermally driven motion (Brownian thermal noise) associated with the laser mirror coatings used in the interferometric detection system. The University of Strathclyde is a member of the LSC and Einstein Telescope consortium, and is leading the international development of both microwave (electron cyclotron resonance) and radiofrequency (RF) ion beam deposition, for fabricating extreme performance mirror coatings. Funding has been provided for three 3.5 year PhD projects to develop improved laser mirror coatings for current and future gravitational-wave detectors.
These projects will gain access to the Extreme Performance Optical Coatings testbed (EPOC) situated within the newly established National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS), custom-made microwave (shown in picture to the right) and RF ion beam sputtering systems (above), and state-of-the-art characterisation equipment. Novel coating materials will be developed for both room temperature and cryogenic detectors while maintaining a close engagement with the local and national photonics industry to help support the development of next generation optical coating technology, and explore routes to generate intellectual property and societal benefit. EPOC houses the largest scale ion beam deposition system in the world (shown in figure above) and significant engagement with other space applications is expected during the project.
The projects will involve collaborative visits to Caltech (US), and will also collaborate closely with other members within the LSC, particularly the University of Glasgow, the University of the West of Scotland, Stanford University, and the University of Montreal Polytechnique.
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