Advanced LIGO: the next generation of gravitational wave detectors

The Advanced LIGO gravitational wave detectors are next generation instruments which will replace the existing initial LIGO detectors. They are currently being constructed and installed. Advanced LIGO strain sensitivity is designed to be about a factor 10 better than initial LIGO over a broad band and usable to 10 Hz, in contrast to 40 Hz for initial LIGO. This is expected to allow for detections and significant astrophysics in most categories of gravitational waves. To achieve this sensitivity, all hardware subsystems are being replaced with improvements. Designs and expected performance are presented for the seismic isolation, suspensions, optics and laser subsystems. Possible enhancements to Advanced LIGO,…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• CO
  Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India
• M
  Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
• IN
  Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare
• GD
  Govern de les Illes Balears
• SA
  Science and Technology Facilities Council