Abstract
Discussions are underway towards a collaboration with the US-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) Laboratory to build one of its next generation detectors (Advanced LIGO) in Australia. If approved Australia would be building one of the most advanced experimental physics facilities in Australia, providing a major, transformational boost for teaching and research in physics, cosmology and eventually astronomy. The detector is a 4 km long Michelson interferometer optimized to the fundamental quantum limits of position measurement, necessary for routine observations of gravitational waves. LIGO Laboratory is currently building three Advanced LIGO detectors, where the original plan was to install two of these in the same vacuum system at Hanford. Australia will benefit from access to the detailed drawings and design of the LIGO Laboratory, but more modern and regional variations in building standards will be used.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 150-154 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Physicist |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2010 |