English

This innovation will significantly improve the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors

109
2024-04-17 16:23:40
See translation

In 2017, the detection of gravitational waves generated by the merger of binary neutron stars marked a significant breakthrough in physics. These waves reveal important information about the universe, from the origin of short gamma ray bursts to the formation of heavy elements.

However, capturing gravitational waves from the merged residue remains a challenge as these waves avoid the detection range of the current detector. However, they can illuminate the internal structure of neutron stars.

The solution may lie in amplifying signals through optical springs and simulating spring behavior using the radiation pressure of light. The Tokyo Institute of Technology's Japan research group, led by associate professors Kentaro Somiya and Dr. Sotatsu Otabe, has proposed an innovation: Kerr effect enhanced optical springs.

In order to make the system more sensitive without requiring more energy, researchers used special techniques in optical equipment. They introduced a material called Kerr medium. This material has a unique characteristic of changing the refractive index of light.

Due to this feature, the device can act as a harder optical spring, thereby enhancing its ability to respond to very subtle changes (such as those caused by gravitational waves) without consuming more energy. Tests have shown that this method increases the hardness of lightweight springs by 1.6 times, enabling the device to detect changes at higher frequencies (from 53 Hz to 67 Hz).

This progress paves the way for the next generation of gravitational wave detectors, which can detect elusive waves to date and provide us with an additional key to understanding the composition of the universe. The proposed design is easy to implement and introduces adjustable parameters into the optomechanical system.

Source: Laser Net

Related Recommendations
  • Monport enhances K40 laser cutting machine through air assisted technology

    Monport Laser has launched its latest breakthrough innovative product, the Monport 40W Pro CO2 laser engraving machine, with air assistance. This cutting-edge machine has set a new standard for precision carving, providing excellent performance and a series of upgraded functions. The Monport 40W Pro surpasses its predecessor, the Monport 40W Laser, in all aspects, making it a game-changing solutio...

    2023-10-11
    See translation
  • The world's first 40000 watt groove laser cutting machine is put into production in China

    On the morning of August 26th, the world's first large-scale 40000 watt groove laser cutting machine production ceremony was successfully held at Shandong Century Zhenghua Metal Technology Co., Ltd. located in Zhoucun District, adding another boost to the rapid development of Zhoucun's stainless steel industry chain.Source:博览新闻

    2023-08-28
    See translation
  • Tongkuai and KDPOF launch their first 980 nm multi gigabit automotive interconnection system

    Tongkuai Optoelectronic Devices, a global leader in vertical cavity laser emitters (VCSEL) and laser diodes (PD) solutions based in Germany, and a Spanish expert in high-speed optical network solutions, KDPOF, showcased the first 980 nm multi gigabit interconnect system for automotive systems at last week's ECOC.Both companies are committed to achieving the most advanced optical data communication...

    2023-10-17
    See translation
  • Laser printing on fallen leaves can produce sensors for medical and laboratory use

    The manufacturing of sensors through 3D printing combines speed, design freedom, and the possibility of using waste as a substrate. In the circular economy model, various results have been achieved, and typically discarded residues are used as low-cost resources. A research team in Brazil has proposed a highly creative solution that involves printing electrochemical sensors on fallen leaves. The t...

    2024-05-16
    See translation
  • Solar cell laser processing deserves attention

    Laser processing is a relatively emerging non-contact processing method that utilizes the high energy of a beam of light to interact with materials and instantly vaporize or change their properties to achieve the expected manufacturing effect. It has gradually been promoted and applied in China in the past 20 years. Due to the different types, pulse widths, and wavelengths of laser generators, the...

    2023-10-31
    See translation