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New Method for Gravitational Wave Detection with Atomic Sensors

Peter W. Graham, Jason M. Hogan, Mark A. Kasevich, and Surjeet Rajendran
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 171102 – Published 25 April 2013
Physics logo See Synopsis: Remove the Noise

Abstract

Laser frequency noise is a dominant noise background for the detection of gravitational waves using long-baseline optical interferometry. Amelioration of this noise requires near simultaneous strain measurements on more than one interferometer baseline, necessitating, for example, more than two satellites for a space-based detector or two interferometer arms for a ground-based detector. We describe a new detection strategy based on recent advances in optical atomic clocks and atom interferometry which can operate at long baselines and which is immune to laser frequency noise. Laser frequency noise is suppressed because the signal arises strictly from the light propagation time between two ensembles of atoms. This new class of sensor allows sensitive gravitational wave detection with only a single baseline. This approach also has practical applications in, for example, the development of ultrasensitive gravimeters and gravity gradiometers.

  • Figure
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  • Received 4 June 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.171102

© 2013 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Remove the Noise

Published 25 April 2013

Atom interferometry may enable ways to measure gravitational waves without the destructive influence of laser fluctuations.

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Authors & Affiliations

Peter W. Graham1, Jason M. Hogan2, Mark A. Kasevich2, and Surjeet Rajendran1

  • 1Department of Physics, Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
  • 2Department of Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA

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Issue

Vol. 110, Iss. 17 — 26 April 2013

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