Pushing the frontiers of gravitational wave science: from technology to astrophysics

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) is now taking science data 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, with a sensitivity which may permit the first direct detection of gravitational waves (GW) ripples in the curvature of space-time. We will search LIGO data for these elusive signals with, for the first time, a realistic chance of success. We will carry out a directed GW search for isolated, non-pulsing, neutron stars and develop advanced algorithms for all-sky neutron star searches. Our experimental program will produce outcomes which will ensure our participation, along with Germany, the UK and the USA, in the LIGO upgrade and beyond, with the potential for technology spin-offs into other areas of optical sensing.