Work

Initial results from the LIGO Newtonian calibrator

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: The precise calibration of the strain readout of the LIGO gravitational wave observatories is paramount to the accurate interpretation of gravitational wave events. This calibration is traditionally done by imparting a known force on the test masses of the observatory via radiation pressure. Here, we describe the implementation of an alternative calibration scheme: the Newtonian calibrator. This system uses a rotor consisting of both quadrupole and hexapole mass distributions to apply a time-varying gravitational force on one of the observatory's test masses. The force produced by this rotor can be predicted to $<1%$ relative uncertainty and is well resolved in the readout of the observatory. This system currently acts as a cross-check of the existing absolute calibration system.

Source: Physical review. D/Physical review. D.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevd.104.082006

Authors: Michael P. Ross, Timesh Mistry, Laurence Datrier, Jeff Kissel, Krishna Venkateswara, Colin Weller, Kavic Kumar, Charlie Hagedorn, Eric Adelberger, John Lee, Erik Shaw, Patrick Thomas, David Barker, Filiberto Clara, Bubba Gateley, Tyler M. Guidry, Ed Daw, Martin Hendry, Jens Gundlach

Institutions: University of Washington, University of Sheffield, Scottish Universities Physics Alliance, University of Glasgow, LIGO Scientific Collaboration, University of Maryland, College Park

Language: English

Topic: Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of Washington, University of Glasgow, University of Sheffield, Science and Technology Facilities Council

Awards: G1036789809, The Operation and Maintenance of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), Probing Fundamental Physics with Gravitational Experiments, The Construction of the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (AdvLIGO), G2621249276, G3199253494, G3825855354, Sensors for Low-Frequency Improvements in Advanced LIGO, Probing Fundamental Physics with Gravitational Experiments, G7653576104, Sensors for Low-Frequency Improvements in Advanced LIGO

OpenAlex ID: W3175849872

FWCI: 1.881

Cites: 48

Cited by: 15

Related to: 20