Experimental Physics of Gravitational Waves
Prerequisiti
The course is designed for PhD and master students and does not require prior knowledge of General Relativity.
Programma
Introductory Lectures: Motivations for gravitational wave (GW) research. Overview of the results obtained by LIGO/Virgo to date.
Basic Theory of Gravitational Waves: Weak-field solution of Einstein's equations. Gravitational wave propagation. Sources. Detection principle.
Interferometry: Michelson interferometer. A conceptual gravitational wave detector.
Useful Mathematical Methods: Description of noise in the time and frequency domains.
Implementation of an Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detector: Seismic noise, thermal noise, quantum noise. Optical cavities (Fabry-Perot, power recycling, signal recycling).
Control Systems: Basic theory of control systems. Pendulum control. Control of an optical cavity (Pound-Drever-Hall technique). Interferometer locking.
Technologies: Vibration isolation, suspensions, mirrors, coatings, squeezing.
Data Analysis Techniques: Coalescing binary systems, bursts, continuous-wave sources. Bayesian inference.
Scientific Results on Gravitational Wave Physics: GW150914, GW170817 and their implications. O3 and O4 runs: from exceptional events to population studies.
Multimessenger Astronomy
Cosmology and Fundamental Physics with Gravitational Waves
Third-Generation Detectors: Scientific goals, technologies.
Outlook.
Obiettivi formativi
The detection of gravitational waves has opened a new observational window on the universe, with the potential to revolutionize our understanding in various fields of contemporary research: from fundamental interactions to cosmology, from nuclear physics to astrophysics.
This course provides students with a structured learning path, exploring the scientific case, experimental challenges, and open problems in gravitational wave physics. Starting from the theory of gravitational waves and the physical motivations that make their detection compelling, students will follow a journey aimed at understanding how a conceptual experiment evolves into a fully operational detector.
Through the study of the technologies and techniques employed to build the detectors and analyze their data, students will gain an understanding of both the scientific achievements of current experiments and the potential of future ones.
During the course, students will have the opportunity to engage with some of the open questions in gravitational wave research, actively participating in discussions about the challenges ahead.
Riferimenti bibliografici
P.R. Saulson - Fundamentals of interferometric GW detectors - World Scientific
M. Maggiore - Gravitational Waves - Oxford
D. Reitze, P.R. Saulson, H. Grote eds. - Advanced interferometric GW detectors - World Scientific
M. Bassan (ed.) - Advanced interferometers and the search for GW - Springer
Papers proposed by the lecturer