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Gravitational Waves and the GEO 600 Detector

The optical layout for the GEO 600 interferometer. GEO 600. GRAVITATIONAL WAVE. INTERFEROMETER. power. beam splitter. recycling. mirror. 600m. signal. recycling. to detection system. mirror. beam. steering. mirrors. modecleaners. laser. Gravitational Waves and

amery-floyd
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Gravitational Waves and the GEO 600 Detector

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  1. The optical layout for the GEO 600 interferometer. GEO 600 GRAVITATIONAL WAVE INTERFEROMETER power beam splitter recycling mirror 600m signal recycling to detection system mirror beam steering mirrors modecleaners laser Gravitational Waves and the GEO 600 Detector GEO 600 is a joint German/UK project to build a 600 metre armlength gravitational wave detector at a site near Hannover, Germany. A team from the University of Glasgow is a member of the collaboration. WHAT ARE GRAVITATIONAL WAVES? HOW DO YOU DETECT GRAVITATIONAL WAVES? Predicted by Einstein, gravitational waves are ripples in the curvature of space-time. They are produced by asymmetric accelerations of mass, such as occurs during the explosion of a star – known as a supernova. Gravitational waves produce very weak strains in space. Laser interferometry between mirrors suspended in a vacuum will allow measurement of these strains, corresponding to displacements of the order of 10-18 m. An example of a stellar explosion – before and after – a potential source of gravitational waves. By detecting and analysing these waves we will gain new information on violent astrophysical phenomena in the Universe. DETAIL OF MIRROR SUSPENSION The interferometer mirrors are delicately suspended on very thin silica fibres. AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE GEO 600 INTERFEROMETER SITE. Close up view of fibres welded to a fused silica “ear” which is bonded to the side of the mirror. A completed mirror suspension installed in the GEO600 interferometer.

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