SEMINAR: Physics Seminar

Searches for generic transient ("burst") gravitational waves identified the presence of the gravitational wave signal, GW150914, within three minutes of the data acquisition. Burst gravitational wave searches identify time-correlated transients in multiple detectors with minimal assumptions about the signal morphology, allowing them to be sensitive to gravitational waves emitted by a wide range of sources including the detected binary black-hole merger signal. With the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors still progressing towards operating at design sensitivity, we eagerly await the next Observing Run, scheduled for the latter part of 2016, when the detectors will explore the gravitational wave universe with improved sensitivity.

This seminar will introduce the methodology behind searches for burst gravitational waves, highlighting contributions to observing GW150914, and provide an overview Glasgow's activities in this area of research. Additionally, Glasgow's effort in materials research and suspension development for Advanced LIGO will also be discussed.