The Wave Hunters

Does the universe wobble? Following the theoretical prediction of Albert Einstein, researchers are trying to measure gravitational waves. They occur as a result of tiny distortions in spatial geometry. With their research, the wave hunters hope to expand our understanding of space and time. With their experiments, the physicists from Hanover are working at the quantum limit. The problem: the measurements require extremely powerful and precise technologies in order to keep the gravitational waves from disappearing into the background noise of the light particles. To meet this challenge, a new technology is being used: squeezed light. Will they be successful in directly verifying gravitational waves for the first time?

 
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The Wave Hunters: Episode 10, 25/01/2010

Needles in Space

 

The first proof of gravitational waves is within reach, but gravitational wave astronomy first and foremost requires us to look to the future. Even now, researchers are contemplating what third and fourth generation gravitational wave detectors may be like. They have set their sights high, because the deep sounds – in other words the gravitational waves generated by really big black holes – can only be heard in space. With this goal in their sights, they are already planning to launch an important international satellite mission in 2020, but even now they are already looking for the minute signals produced by gravitational waves in the noisy data collected by the detectors. Who will be the first to find the needle in the haystack of space?

At a glance

Field of Research: Atomphysics, Molecular Physics, Physics, Quantum Optics, Solid State Physics
 
Location: Hannover
 
Episodes: 11
 
Season/Year: 2. Season/ 2009
 
Status: Finished
 
Topics: big black holes, gravitational waves, sound, noise, space mission
 
 
09.06.2009

The Wave Hunters

Do Einstein’s Gravitational Waves rock the Universe?
 
30.06.2009

Expanded and Squeezed

According to Albert Einstein, space-time behaves like an elastic mesh structure. The distortion of this mesh by massive objects, such as stars or planets, is what we refer to as gravitation.
 
13.07.2009

Stretched and compressed

According to Albert Einstein, the fabric of time and space behaves like an elasticated mesh. Heavy masses stretch the mesh, and if they move, the space-time mesh vibrates.
 
06.08.2009

Extremely Sensitive

Maximum sensitivity: GEO600. How exactly does the detector work, what challenges does it face, and what are its limits?
 
07.09.2009

Squeezed Light

Against the quantum nature of light: What do squeezed light and loaded dice have in common? Manipulation in the interest of science...
 
23.09.2009

New York, New York

Out of the lab, over to the USA: A conference in New York brings the wave hunters of the world together. What is accomplished on the trip?
 
26.10.2009

Clean Optics

The lenses need to be cleaned to make sure that not a single grain of dust disrupts the laser beam…
 
14.12.2009

Tailor-Made and Remote-Controlled

The researchers design and build a lot of the components for their experiments using the GEO600 themselves – and they are even developing a remote control system!
 
11.01.2010

High Tech in the Cornfield

A world first at GEO600: The wave hunters will soon become the very first people ever to install squeezed light in a gravity wave detector.
 
18.01.2010

A World Record

The decisive day has arrived for Henning and Alexander. Will they manage to reduce the light’s random quantum noise further than anyone has ever managed before?
 
25.01.2010

Needles in Space

The first direct proof of gravitational waves is within reach, but the goal is gravitational wave astronomy.
 
 
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