InertialSensors | Interferometric inertial sensors for gravitational-wave detectors

Summary
The detection of gravitational waves is expected within the decade and it will start a new era in astronomy. A limiting factor for all earth-based gravitational-wave detectors is isolation from ground motion that limits both low frequency sensitivity and detector operation. We propose to develop a new kind of extremely low-noise inertial sensors using laser-interferometer readout that can drastically improve active seismic isolation systems. The interferometric readout developed at Birmingham has low noise, huge dynamic range, and highly linear readout. This combination of properties allows a radical redesign and simplification of the mechanical components of an inertial sensor, and the removal of many common sources of noise. The technology required to build these sensors has many potential applications outside the field. The experienced researcher, Dr Mow-Lowry, will lead the experimental work and manage the project under the guidance of Professor Freise, and by the end of the proposal he will have proven his ability to deliver key instrumentation, making the transition from scientific contributor to principal investigator. In the years following, he will be ideally placed to exploit the project outcomes through scientific collaboration and commercialisation.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/701264
Start date: 02-12-2016
End date: 01-12-2018
Total budget - Public funding: 183 454,80 Euro - 183 454,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

The detection of gravitational waves is expected within the decade and it will start a new era in astronomy. A limiting factor for all earth-based gravitational-wave detectors is isolation from ground motion that limits both low frequency sensitivity and detector operation. We propose to develop a new kind of extremely low-noise inertial sensors using laser-interferometer readout that can drastically improve active seismic isolation systems. The interferometric readout developed at Birmingham has low noise, huge dynamic range, and highly linear readout. This combination of properties allows a radical redesign and simplification of the mechanical components of an inertial sensor, and the removal of many common sources of noise. The technology required to build these sensors has many potential applications outside the field. The experienced researcher, Dr Mow-Lowry, will lead the experimental work and manage the project under the guidance of Professor Freise, and by the end of the proposal he will have proven his ability to deliver key instrumentation, making the transition from scientific contributor to principal investigator. In the years following, he will be ideally placed to exploit the project outcomes through scientific collaboration and commercialisation.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2015-EF

Update Date

28-04-2024
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
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EU-Programme-Call
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
MSCA-IF-2015-EF Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)